Miners pull Australian shares lower as China stimulus disappoints
Miners end at near 2-week low
RBA minutes indicate "slightly dovish" stance - analysts
NZ shares down for second straight session
Updates to close
By Shivangi Lahiri
Oct 8 (Reuters) -Australian shares fell on Tuesday, dragged by the resources sector as investors pulled out of heavyweight miners after recent updates on China's stimulus measures dampened sentiment.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO closed 0.4% lower to 8,176.90 points. The benchmark had closed 0.7% higher on Monday.
Miners .AXMM fell 1.9%, the top losing index by percentage, and weighed heavily on the benchmark as investors disappointed by the absence of specific details on the size of Beijing's newest stimulus package rotated out of the index.
"The lack of new news from the China NRDC conference has seen 'China proxy' trades sell off," said Damian Rooney, director of institutional sales at Argonaut.
China is Australia's largest trading partner.
BHP Group BHP.AX fell 2.4%, while Rio Tinto RIO.AX and Fortescue FMG.AX fell 0.2% and 5.3% respectively.
Technology stocks .AXIJ declined 1.1%, the second-biggest losing index by percentage, following a weak finish on Wall Street overnight, with tech giant Xero XRO.AX closing 1.7% lower.
Investors also assessed the minutes of the Reserve Bank of Australia's latest monetary policy to ascertain its rate cut trajectory.
The minutes outlined the conditions for a future rate cut - namely a weak economy, a deterioration in labour market or less stubborn inflation.
The RBA also discussed the scenario for a hike, such as growth in consumption, constrained outlook for aggregate supply or weak productivity growth.
Multiple analysts were of the view that the above statement was "incrementally dovish", citing the omission of earlier guidance stating "it was unlikely that the cash rate would be reduced in the short term".
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 fell 0.3% to finish at 12,555.99 points.
Reporting by Shivangi Lahiri in Bengaluru; Editing by Varun H K
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