* AMP tops ASX200 gainers with 5.5% rise, co appoints group CEO
* Financials dip as regulators take action on Macquarie Bank, CBA
* Australia, New Zealand markets closed on Friday
By Vasudha Kaukuntla
April 1 (Reuters) - Australian shares rose on Thursday, tracking an overnight Wall Street rally that was driven by tech stocks and as U.S. President Joe Biden's multi-trillion-dollar infrastructure investment plan lifted investor sentiment globally.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO climbed 0.2% to 6,804.90 by 0027 GMT, also helped by data showing Australian home prices rose at the fastest pace in three decades in March and February retail sales fell less than expected. the index was down 0.2% so far in the week. Australia and New Zealand markets are closed on Friday for the Good Friday holiday.
On Wednesday, Biden called for a sweeping use of government power to reshape the world's largest economy and counter China's rise in a $2 trillion-plus proposal. from U.S. markets and strong mining gains lifted the Australian benchmark index, but market moves are likely to be quieter given the long weekend ahead, said James Tao, a market analyst at CommSec.
In Australia, miners .AXMM rose 1.3% as Chinese iron ore futures DCIOcv1 climbed in early trade. BHP Group BHP.AX and Rio Tinto (LON:RIO) RIO.AX added 0.6% and 1.4%, respectively.
Financials .AXFJ was largely weaker amid regulatory pressure.
Macquarie Group MQG.AX traded about 1.5% lower after the prudential regulator ordered the company's banking unit to increase its cash reserves following material breaches of prudential standards that it said raised serious concerns about the lender's risk controls. Bank of Australia CBA.AX slipped about 0.5%. Australia's securities regulator said it had started civil penalty proceedings against the bank, alleging it charged wrong monthly access fees from its customers. manager AMP AMP.AX was a bright spot on the index, rising nearly 5.5% to the top of ASX200, after it named deputy chief of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Alexis George as its new group chief executive officer. Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 fell 0.5% to 12,560.70.