(Updates to close)
Jan 2 (Reuters) - Australian shares ended marginally lower on Tuesday in lacklustre trade as several major financial markets worldwide remained closed for the New Year's holiday.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO ended down 0.06 percent, or 3.8 points, at 6,061.3, lowest close since Dec. 21.
Financials led the losses on the index, with the 'Big Four' lenders shedding between 0.2 and 0.6 percent.
Healthcare stocks also fell, with Ramsay Health Care Ltd RHC.AX and CSL Ltd CSL.AX sliding 1.1 percent and 0.5 percent, respectively.
Meanwhile, materials stocks lent support to the index, as heavyweights BHP Billiton (LON:BLT) BHP.AX and Rio Tinto (LON:RIO) Ltd RIO.AX gained 0.4 percent and 0.9 percent, respectively.
New Zealand is closed for a public holiday, with the financial market reopening for trade on Wednesday.