Australian shares edged down 0.1 percent on Thursday, weighed down by losses in the financial sector after National Australia Bank slumped on concerns about its British business, but ended the month 4 percent higher to hover at five-year highs. NAB, the country's top lender by assets, tumbled 2.5 percent after it reported a record annual profit but analysts said its earnings potential had been constrained by its struggling British businesses.
The S&P/ASX 200 index dropped 5.4 points to 5,425.5, after rising 0.3 percent on Wednesday.
Investors were also cautious after Wall Street lost ground on Tuesday as the US Federal Reserve's latest policy outlook was seen as steering clear of some of the more ultra-dovish market views. New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index added 0.9 percent to a record high of 4,909.7.