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SYDNEY, May 19 (Reuters) - Australian shares fell on Thursday, extending two-day losses to nearly 1.5 percent, as a stronger U.S. dollar weighed on energy and mining stocks.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO fell 0.6 percent, or 32.86 points, to 5,323.3 at the close of trade. The benchmark fell 0.74 percent on Wednesday.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 fell 1.1 percent or 79 points to finish the session at 6,903.6 points.