* Gains in BHP drives benchmark higher
* Energy stocks slip on lower oil prices
* a2 Milk pushes up New Zealand's benchmark (Updates to close)
Nov 1 (Reuters) - Australia's benchmark index closed slightly higher on Thursday as shares in BHP BHP.AX shot up as much as 6.2 percent after the world's biggest miner announced a blockbuster $10.4 billion shareholder return.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO rose 0.18 percent or 10.500 points to close at 5,840.800.
The metals and mining index .AXMM was the largest boost to the benchmark, driven by gains in BHP.
BHP's Australia-listed shares soared as the firm stuck to its earlier promise of returning the entire net proceeds from the sale of its U.S. shale business to shareholders. shares of Rio Tinto (LON:RIO) Ltd RIO.AX rose 2.3 percent, while Fortescue Metals Group Ltd FMG.AX firmed 2.9 percent.
Among financial stocks .AXFJ which fell was benchmark heavyweight Commonwealth Bank of Australia CBA.AX which weakened 1 percent.
Before the market open, the lender said it would issue debt through a hybrid capital notes offer to raise about A$750 million ($534.53 million). stocks .AXEJ slipped 0.9 percent at the close, reflecting weaker oil prices. O/R
Sector giant Woodside Petroleum Ltd WPL.AX fell 1 percent and Santos Ltd STO.AX shed 1.5 percent.
Among real estate stocks .AXRJD , Dexus DXS.AX lost 2.6 percent and Mirvac Group MGR.AX fell 2.3 percent.
Home prices in Sydney posted their worst annual performance since 1990 in October, dragging national values lower. New Zealand, the benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 closed 1.05 percent or 91.5200 points higher to finish the session at 8,843.8300.
Dairy firm a2 Milk Company ATM.NZ rose 2.7 percent.
($1 = 1.4031 Australian dollars)