Australian shares firm on financials and healthcare stocks; NZ slips

© Reuters. Australian shares firm on financials and healthcare stocks; NZ slips

(Updates to close)

Feb 19 (Reuters) - Australian shares closed at a two-week high on Monday, underpinned by gains in financials and healthcare stocks, with investors keeping a close eye on earnings reports.

The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO rose 0.6 percent or 37.600 points to 5,941.6 at the close of trade. The benchmark slipped 0.1 percent on Friday.

Financials accounted for most of the gains on the benchmark, with the country's "Big Four" banks firming between 0.4 and 0.8 percent.

Healthcare stocks also added to the gains, with biotherapy firm CSL Ltd CSL.AX rising to a record closing high.

Household products distributor GWA Group Ltd GWA.AX was the top percentage gainer on the benchmark with its shares rising 11.4 percent after it posted a 7 percent rise in first-half profit.

Shares of Infigen Energy IFN.AX rose 9.9 percent to near four-week high. The company posted a 25 percent jump in half-year net profit and entered into new financing facilities. listings publisher Domain Holdings Australia Ltd DHG.AX climbed to its highest since Feb. 8 after reporting a rise in revenue in its first months as a standalone company. stocks fell, capping the gains on the benchmark. Woodside Petroleum Ltd WPL.AX slumped to its lowest in more than four months on the first trading day after announcing an A$2.5 billion ($2 billion) equity raising.

Myer Holdings Ltd MYR.AX shares fell to a record low after news the department store chain's top shareholder intends oust its board within weeks. the Tasman Sea, New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 fell 0.1 percent or 10.060 points to finish the session at 8,115.250.

Utilities and consumer discretionary stocks led the fall, with Mercury NZ Ltd MCY.NZ dipping 2 percent, while Skycity Entertainment Group Ltd SKC.NZ slipped 1.5 percent.

($1 = 1.2625 Australian dollars)