(Updates to close)
SYDNEY, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Australian shares struggled to advance on Wednesday, as mixed earnings reports offset a boost from firmer mining and bank stocks.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO tacked on 7.93 points, or just 0.14 percent, to 5561.7 at the close of trade. The benchmark climbed 0.7 percent on Tuesday.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 edged down 0.76 percent, or 57.03 points, to finish the session at 7410.3.