Australian shares closed flat on Thursday as gains in metals and energy stocks were offset by losses in financials, with scandal-hit wealth manager AMP tumbling in yet another reminder of the costly management missteps in the sector. The S&P/ASX 200 index eased 0.07 or 4.2 points to 6,059.4 at the close, having fallen 0.3 percent on Wednesday.

The shares of Australia's largest wealth manager dropped 7.8 percent, while those of the big four banks also closed lower.

The company, which posted a 97 percent fall in its full year statutory profit, has lost more than half its market capitalisation in the past 12 months.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index dipped 0.5 percent or 48.46 points, snapping six straight sessions of gains, to finish the session at 9,284.92.

Copyright Reuters, 2019