SYDNEY: Australian shares inched up on Tuesday, as gains in miners offset losses in financials, while investors refrained from taking strong bets weighing between hopes of further stimulus from the US Federal Reserve and concerns over a second coronavirus wave.

The benchmark dropped 1% earlier in the session when a sudden scare about the Sino-US trade deal being in jeopardy triggered a sell-off across Asian markets.

However, markets reversed swiftly after White House trade adviser Peter Navarro walked back from earlier comments and said the trade deal remains "in place". US President Donald Trump also assured in a tweet the deal with the China was "fully intact".

The S&P/ASX 200 index ended 0.2% higher at 5,944.5, gaining for a third straight session.

ASX 300 metals and mining index advanced 0.7% after copper prices rose 0.1%. Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals Group added 1.4% and 1.3%, respectively.

Heavyweight financials fell 0.3% and weighed on the benchmark. Commonwealth Bank of Australia dipped 0.6% after the country's corporate regulator filed a lawsuit against the top lender and its pension arm.

Elsewhere, the technology index also gained 0.3%, tracking their U.S peers, led by Afterpay Ltd, up 2.1%.

Across the Tasman Sea, New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index fell 0.2% to finish the session at 11,132.58 in a second straight session of losses. Port of Tauranga was the top loser, sliding 5.6%, while New Zealand Refining Company dropped 3.7%.