SYDNEY: Australian shares ended flat on Monday as gains from barga

After opening in negative territory, the S&P/ASX 200 index recovered to close up 2.3 points at 5,109.

The benchmark is down 5.6 percent so far this year.

New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index rose 13.0 points or 0.2 percent to finish the session at 6,120.8.