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SYDNEY, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Australian shares pared gains on Thursday to end up 0.1 percent, with support coming from banks and miners but investors exercised caution after China's central bank said there was no basis for further depreciation in the yuan.
BHP Billiton (LONDON:BLT) BHP.AX rose 1.2 percent, while gold miner Newcrest NCM.AX gained nearly 3 percent. Telecommunications stocks stayed in the red with Telstra TLS.AX down 2.24 percent.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO rose 5.8 points to 5,387.9 by the close of trade, after two days of losses. The benchmark dropped 1.7 percent on Wednesday, its lowest close in seven months.
New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index fell 0.4 percent, or 19.5 points, to finish the session at 5,737.7.