(Corrects story issued on June 9 to remove reference to benchmark closing below the 6,000-point mark in 2nd paragraph)
* Survey shows Australia activity, confidence recovered in May
* Financials close at three-month high
* NZ sees worst day in over 1-1/2 months
By Arpit Nayak
June 9 (Reuters) - Australian shares on Tuesday settled at their highest in three months, with financials leading the gains, as hopes of a speedy economic rebound from the coronavirus-triggered slump bolstered risk appetite.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO returned from an extended weekend to climb 2.4% to 6,144.9 - its highest close since March 6.
A measure of Australian business conditions showed that activity and confidence last month bounced back from lows in April as virus-induced curbs are rolled back and the economy restarts, though the survey's results stayed in recessionary territory overall. signs of a broader global recovery from bruising shutdowns, major U.S. tech stocks helped the Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC confirm a fresh bull market. .N
Heavyweight financials .AXFJ led gains on the benchmark, rising 4.8% with top lenders Commonwealth Bank of Australia CBA.AX and Westpac Banking Corp WBC.AX leading the charge.
The banks are relieved that the economy is not doing as badly as initially feared and that investors are hunting for bargains while they still trade at lows, said Henry Jennings, senior analyst at Marcustoday.
Oil prices ticked up on hopes of a rapid recovery in demand as restrictions are eased, sending Australian energy firms .AXEJ up 4.7%. O/R
Index giants Woodside Petroleum WPL.AX and Santos STO.AX climbed 5.5% and 7.3%, respectively.
Global miners BHP Group BHP.AX and Rio Tinto (LON:RIO) RIO.AX were the top gainers on the metals and mining sub-index .AXMM , propped up by a recent surge in iron ore prices. IRONORE/
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 dropped 2% to finish the session at 11,298.69, even as the country celebrated the elimination of the coronavirus and scrapped all restrictions. Zealand investors are potentially booking profits from the strong gains seen in recent sessions, said CommSec market analyst Steven Daghlian.