(Updates to close)
SYDNEY, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Australian shares rose for a fifth straight session on Monday as investors swooped on high-yielding bank stocks and persistent takeover rumours swirling around Woolworths WOW.AX sent the country's top grocery chain sharply higher.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO closed up 0.4 percent or 20.3 points at 5,276.4. The benchmark has risen 5.2 percent since Nov. 16.
Woolworths rose 3.9 percent, its biggest gain in a month.
New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index rose 1.2 percent or 69.1 points to finish the session at 6,077.6.