Australia shares little changed as banks offset losses in miners

Australian shares closed largely flat on Thursday as gains in banks and healthcare stocks countered losses in miners, while Fortescue and Brambles declined as their quarterly updates disappointed investors.

The finance and commodities-heavy S&P/ASX 200 edged 0.1% lower to end trade at 8,206.3. The benchmark index traded in a range of about 0.4% on either side of Wednesday's close.