By Susan Mathew
Feb. 26 (Reuters) - - Australian shares edged higher on Monday, supported by strength on Wall Street after the Federal Reserve assuaged investor concerns over the monetary policy outlook this year, while domestic earnings continued provide trading catalysts.
"The gains are fairly broad-based and that's attributed to the strong lead we had from Wall Street on Friday," said Christopher Conway at the Australian Stock Report.
The Fed on Friday said it expected economic growth to remain steady and saw no serious risks on the horizon that might pause its planned pace of rate hikes, sending stocks higher. .N
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO was up 0.4 percent, or 23.9 points, to 5,999.8 by 0056 GMT, hitting its highest in three weeks. The benchmark closed 0.8 percent up on Friday.
Eight out of ten sectors were up on the benchmark with the 'Big 4' banks driving gains, rising between 0.7 percent and 1.1 percent.
Energy stocks were also among the strong performers with Woodside Petroleum WPL.AX up 1.3 percent thanks to strong oil prices, while material stock Bluescope Steel BSL.AX rose 4.4 percent aided by a 23 percent jump in half-year net profit and higher iron ore prices. O/R IRONORE/
Consumer stock Woolworths WOW.AX rose 2.2 percent, while telecom company Telstra TLS.AX added just above a percent.
The telecom sector also got a boost from Vocus Group's VOC.AX 4.2 percent jump. The company on Monday announced the appointment of its wholesale and international division head as the interim Chief executive, replacing current CEO Geoff Horth. It also reaffirmed its recently reduced guidance for the full-year. the other side of the spectrum, a drop of as much as 4.9 percent in QBE Insurance QBE.AX weighed on the index as it reported an annual loss. The insurer said it would sell its underperforming Latin American business to Zurich Insurance ZURN.S for $409 million, a stark contrast with growth plans of its global rivals. losses included, a 0.2 percent fall in BHP shares BHP.AX , while conglomerate Wesfarmers WES.AX was the biggest drag on the index, down 2.6 percent
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 was 0.3 percent, or 26.6 points, higher at 8,324.21, on-track to gain for a fourth straight session.
Dairy company a2 Milk ATM.NZ and retirement village operator Summerset Group SUM.NZ led the gainers, up 1.2 percent and 4.8 percent, respectively.
Summerset shares have been on the rise since the company reported a 54 percent jump in full-year profit on Friday. Metlifecare Ltd MET.NZ was down 4.8 percent after the company reported a sharp drop in half-year net profit on Monday. more individual stocks activity click on STXBZ