Australia shares close near 6-yr high, rise for 6th consecutive week

SYDNEY (Reuters) - The resources sector helped Australian shares gain 0.2 per cent to a near six-year high on Thursday, though gains were capped as many investors kept to the sidelines ahead of a holiday on Friday and after Wall Street eased overnight.

The S&P/ASX 200 index tacked on 13.2 points to close at 5,531.0, its highest point since June 2008.

The benchmark climbed 1.4 per cent for the week, its sixth straight week of gains and its longest streak since August 2013.

Markets will be closed on Friday for the Anzac Day holiday.

New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index also added 0.2 per cent, finishing at 5,154.0.

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