Australian shares end shy of record closing high; WiseTech and MinRes tank
AXJO 11.5 points away from record closing high
Gold stocks hit highest in more than 4 years
Updates to close
By Rajasik Mukherjee
Oct 21 (Reuters) -Australian shares finished just shy of a record closing high on Monday, led by index heavyweights miners and banks, while tech firm WiseTech Global and diversified mining company Mineral Resources tanked following probes into their top executives.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO rose 0.7% to 8,344.4, closing 11.5 points away from its record close of 8,355.9 hit on Oct. 17.
Bellwether miners .AXMM rose 1.6% to snap a three-session losing streak, helped by higher iron ore prices.
Iron ore prices rose as near-term demand held firm and the latest lending rate cut in top consumer China boosted investor sentiment. IRONORE/
"China's decision to cut their LPR rates was also a welcome development for resource stocks from a growth perspective," said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.
Sector giant BHP Group BHP.AX gained 1.4%, while Rio Tinto RIO.AX ended 1.9% higher.
Shares of Mineral Resources (MinRes) MIN.AX fell 13.8% after the miner's billionaire founder admitted tax evasion.
Financials .AXFJ gained 0.7%, with three of the "Big Four" banks rising between 0.3% and 1.1%. ANZ Group ANZ.AX shed 0.3%.
Energy stocks .AXEJ gained 1.3% as global oil prices steadied after a sharp drop last week. Oil and gas firm Santos STO.AX rose 1.5%. O/R
Gold stocks .AXGD rose 3.7% to hit their highest in more than four years as bullion prices hit a fresh peak in a record-setting rally. GOL/
Tech stocks .AXIJ ended in negative territory, dragged down by a 14.6% drop in WiseTech Global WTC.AX after the company said it was reviewing matters concerning its CEO after reports made allegations about his personal life including payments to a past sexual partner.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 rose 0.8% to finish at 12,923.22.
Synlait Milk SML.NZ, the country's top dairy firm, said its chief executive had resigned and the head of its Dairyworks business had been appointed as the acting CEO. Its shares closed more than 8% lower.
Reporting by Rajasik Mukherjee in Bengaluru
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