Australian shares rose 0.8 per cent on Wednesday as investors shrugged off disappointing economic data and further declines in oil and iron ore prices and bought stocks on the cheap after the recent steep sell-off.
The S&P/ASX 200 index extended the previous session’s recovery after plunging nearly 4 per cent in two sessions. The benchmark closed up 40.5 points at 5,321.8, pulling away from a two-month low touched this week.
New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index rose 1.3 per cent or 73.03 points to finish the session at 5,503.1.