AU Evening Wrap: Australia Shares Close 0.3% Higher on CPI Surprise

$S&P/ASX 200(.XJO.AU)$ closed 0.3% higher at 7035.3, as a key inflation figure came in well below expectations in October, offering the market some assurance on price pressures. The benchmark index's gains were driven by strength in technology and healthcare stocks, though this was offset somewhat by weakness in the energy and financial sectors.

Major lenders $ANZ Group Holdings Ltd(ANZ.AU)$, $National Australia Bank Ltd(NAB.AU)$ and $Westpac Banking Corp(WBC.AU)$ finished between 0.5% and 0.9% lower, while $CommBank(CBA.AU)$ ended flat.

Tech stocks $IRESS Ltd(IRE.AU)$, $Megaport Ltd(MP1.AU)$ and drove some of the sector's strength, rising 3.6% and 3.1%, respectively.

$Link Administration Holdings Ltd(LNK.AU)$ was the session's best performer, advancing 8.5%.

Healthcare stock $Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp Ltd(FPH.AU)$ also had a strong showing, climbing 7.8% after issuing a strong profit guidance.