* Gold, tech stocks lead gains on the Australian benchmark
* Woolworths drags ASX the most
* NZX 50 rises 0.5%
By Riya Sharma
April 29 (Reuters) - Australian shares closed at their highest level in nearly 14 months on Thursday, extending gains from the previous session when mild inflation data pushed the benchmark index to snap its two-day losing streak.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO closed 0.3% higher at 7,082.3. Gains in tech and gold stocks helped outweigh dismal trading updates from Woolworths and Fortescue Metals .
"The local market is extending yesterday's rally and rejoicing a paucity of inflation in the country," Henry Jennings, senior analyst at Marcustoday Financial Newsletter, said adding that the markets also took cues from firmer U.S. futures and U.S. President Joe Biden's stimulus plan for a $1.8-trillion stimulus. Australian Bureau of Statistics reported a lower-than-expected inflation for the March quarter on Wednesday. stocks .AXGD rose 2.37% as bullion prices jumped overnight after the U.S. Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged GOL/
Australia's biggest gold miner Newcrest jumped as much as 2.7% after posting production of 512,424 ounces for the March period, beating the 491,539 ounces tipped by RBC analysts. stocks .AXIJ rose 2.25%, tracking strong quarterly results from Facebook FB.O and Apple AAPL.O overnight. Buy now, pay later firm Afterpay Ltd APT.AX led the gains, advancing 3.4%.
Supermarket giant Woolworths WOW.AX fell 3.9% following a quarterly result well below analysts' expectations, while rival Coles COL.AX disproportionately benefited from this and rallied 3.4%. Metals FMG.AX dipped as much as 3.5% after reporting an increase in cost of production, partly attributed to the strengthening dollar and seasonally lower volumes. miners .AXMM took a dip in the price of iron ore in their stride, with BHP BHP.AX rising as much as 1.4% and Rio Tinto (LON:RIO) gaining 1.2%.
Across the Tasman Sea, New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 rose 0.5% to 12,715.2.