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SYDNEY, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Australian shares rose almost 1 percent on Monday, climbing for a third consecutive session, as the Bank of Japan's decision to cut a benchmark interest rate below zero buoyed market sentiment.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO rose 38.08 points to 5,043.60 at the close of trade. The benchmark was up 0.76 percent on Monday.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 edged up 0.07 percent or 4.27 points to finish the session at 6174.49.