* BHP announces highest interim split, posting best H1 profit in 7 years
* NAB benefits as quarterly profit rises
* NZ50 carves five days losing streak, closes 0.8% higher (Updates to close)
February 16 (Reuters) – Australian shares closed Tuesday’s session at a one-year high, led by strong half-year yields and the highest continental payout from global miner BHP, while prices increased commodities continue to boost mining and energy sectors.
The S&P / ASX 200 index gained 0.7% to finish at 6,917.3 points. The benchmark rose 0.9% on Monday.
BHP climbed 2.7% after posting the best profit in the first half in seven years, announced a major interim split and said it expects strong demand from China to continue in 2021.
“If we knew we were going to be in the middle of a global pandemic at this time of year, would we expect numbers like this? I don’t think so. BHP is coming out with their numbers to definitely boost the market and the segment, ”said Nick Twidale, APAC CEO at FP Markets.
Heavyweight Rio Tinto, which reports earnings later in the week, rallied on BHP results and gained 3%.
That helped a subprime of miners advance 1.4% to a three-week high, while near-nine-year high copper prices also supported.
Regarding coronavirus vaccine, the Australian medical regulator approved a temporary vaccine developed by AstraZeneca on Tuesday.
Energy stocks climbed 2.1% behind rising oil prices as severe weather closed wells and refineries in Texas, United States, raising supply concerns.
Santos gained 1.7%, and Woodside Petroleum saw its best session in one month.
The heavy financial index was 0.5% higher, with three of the so-called “Big Four” banks closing in the black.
The National Bank of Australia gained the country’s second-largest lender 1.1% after their first-quarter results and encouraging comments on economic recovery.
Across the Tasman Ocean, New Zealand’s S&P / NZX 50 index rose 0.8% to 12,610.72 points, sculpting a five-day climbing loss. (Reporting by Harish Sridharan in Bengaluru; Editing by Vinay Dwivedi)