AU Evening Wrap: Australian Shares Rise 0.5% Amid Real Estate Gains

Australia's $S&P/ASX 200(.XJO.AU)$ ended 0.5% higher at 7811.9, just short of a record closing level. Ten of eleven sectors finished higher, as the benchmark index rebounded from Friday's 0.15% slip.

Real estate was the strongest performer at the start of a week that will include the release of inflation and job data. $Dexus(DXS.AU)$, $Mirvac Group(MGR.AU)$ and $Goodman Group(GMG.AU)$ added between 1.4% and 3.7%.

Energy explorers $Santos Ltd(STO.AU)$ and $Woodside Energy Group Ltd(WDS.AU)$ gained 1.1% and 1.2%, respectively, amid higher oil prices.

The heavyweight financial sector edged 0.1% higher, as major bank stocks finished mixed. $ANZ Group Holdings Ltd(ANZ.AU)$ and $CommBank(CBA.AU)$ rose 0.4% and 1.1%, respectively. $Westpac Banking Corp(WBC.AU)$ slipped 0.1% and $National Australia Bank Ltd(NAB.AU)$ lost 0.6%.

$The Star Entertainment Group Ltd(SGR.AU)$'s 2.8% fall amid further regulatory and management uncertainty kept the consumer discretionary sector flat.