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By Rajasik Mukherjee

Aug 22 (Reuters) -Australian shares gained for the tenth straight session on Thursday amid a slew of corporate earnings and expectations of imminent monetary policy easing by the U.S. Federal Reserve.

The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO rose 0.2% to 8027 at the close of trade. The benchmark closed 0.2% higher on Wednesday.

Upbeat corporate earnings from retailers and banks gave investors a sneak peek into consumer sentiment amid a high interest rate environment.

"Against the backdrop of a resilient economic dynamic, investor sentiment towards Australian equities remains broadly buoyant, underpinned by recent better-than-expected earnings," said Hebe Chen, an analyst at IG Markets.

While the Reserve Bank of Australia stated that a near-term interest rate cut was unlikely, investors cheered to the better-than-expected earnings, especially from retailers and lenders.

"The longest winning streak in years indeed highlights this increasingly optimistic mood that has staged a speedy recovery from earlier fluctuations.," added Chen.

On the bourse, miners .AXMM added 0.4%, helped by 2% gain in Fortescue FMG.AX while Mineral Resources MIN.AX rose 0.8%.

Financials .AXFJ lost 0.3% while technology stocks .AXIJ gained 1.9%.

Software solutions provider Wisetech WTC.AX soared 7.8%, a day after it reported strong annual results.

Energy stocks .AXEJ was largely flat, while coal miner Whitehaven WHC.AX added 6.3%.

The miner reported a drop in its full-year profit but added it would sell 30% stake in Blackwater mine for $1.08 billion.

Among corporate results, Super Retail SUL.AX hit record high on upbeat FY25 trading update while its annual results were in-line with market estimates.

Minutes from the Fed's recent policy meeting showed that the world's most influential central bank was en route to cut its interest rate next month.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 fell 0.3% to finish the session at 12469.35.

Reporting by Rajasik Mukherjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee

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