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June 7 (Reuters) - Australian shares closed steady on Wednesday after first-quarter economic growth data beat expectations with a 0.3 percent quarter-over-quarter expansion. S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO closed 0.274 points lower at 5,667.2, virtually flat on the day having recovered from a 0.4 percent dip.
The 'Big 4' banks gained between 0.3 percent and 0.7 percent, while healthcare stock CSL Ltd CSL.AX gained 0.9 percent.
Rising gold and copper prices boosted miners. Rio Tinto (LON:RIO) RIO.AX and Newcrest Mining NCM.AX gained 0.3 percent and 0.7 percent, respectively. GOL/ MET/L showed that iron ore shipments to China from Australia's Port Hedland terminal, used by BHP BHP.AX and Fortescue Metals FMG.AX , rose to a record 38 million tonnes in May. iron ore prices fell on the Dalian commodities exchange. O/R IRONORE/
BHP BHP.AX , weakened by 0.6 percent. The miner, which also has significant oil interests, was helped by global crude oil prices struggling around $50 per barrel.
Internet company, Vocus Group VOC.AX was the biggest gainer on the index, up 21.7 percent, after private equity giant KKR & Co LP KKR.N made a $1.66 billion takeover approach. on the benchmark were led by consumer and industrial stocks as retailer Wesfarmers WES.AX lost 2.9 percent, while toll-road operator Transurban TCL.AX shed 1.4 percent. Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 ended 0.4 percent, or 27.07 points, lower at 7,467.9.
Spark New Zealand SPK.NZ and Fletcher Building FBU.NZ were the biggest drags, losing over 1.4 percent each.