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Miners, banks pull down Australian shares

Australian shares ended partially lower on Tuesday as miners and financials dragged, although gains in energy and gold stocks helped cap losses, while investors looked towards an essential domestic inflation print for cues on rate of interest cuts.

The S&P/ ASX 200 index closed 0.4% lower at 7,780.20 points, logging its worst day in more than a week. The standard ended 0.5% higher on Monday.

Financiers will be considering the domestic inflation print for February, which is anticipated on Wednesday, as well as the U.S. core personal consumption expense (PCE) information for the 4th quarter, due on Friday.

There is a possibility of a marginal uptick in Australia's inflation data, said Hebe Chen, an expert at IG Markets.

Any substantial enhancement may prompt the Reserve Bank of Australia to follow in the steps of the Federal Reserve ... and even think about the possibility of rate cuts in the next conference.

The RBA's next financial policy meeting is on May 6.

Heavyweight miners dropped 0.8% tracking a fall in iron ore prices.

Top miners Rio Tinto, BHP Group and Fortescue fell in between 0.3% and 1.4%, respectively.

Rate-sensitive financials fell 0.2%, with the 'Big. Four' banks trading in the red. They lost in between 0.2% and 0.7%.

On the other hand, energy and gold stocks each. gained 0.5% and 0.8%.

Oil and gas behemoth Woodside Energy and. smaller peer Santos advanced 1% and 0.4%, respectively.

Gold miners Northern Star Resources and. Evolution Mining climbed up 1.6% and 0.6%, respectively.

Meanwhile, Australia's consumer sentiment reduced from. 20-month highs in March as stress over the financial outlook. and household financial resources returned to darken the state of mind, a survey revealed. on Tuesday.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/ NZX 50 index fell 0.3%. at 12,031.81 points at the close of trade, losing for the first. time in 6 sessions.

Construction companies Fletcher Building. and telecoms firm Chorus were the top losers. on the benchmark, decreasing 2.4% and 2.2%, respectively.