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Australian shares reversed course to close slightly higher on Monday, as strong economic data from the country's top trading partner China buoyed sentiment, but weaker technology and mining stocks limited gains.
The S&P/ASX 200 index ended 0.1 per cent higher at 6,773.00, extending the benchmark's 0.8 per cent rise on Friday.
Data on Monday showed China's industrial output grew 35.1 per cent in January-February from a year ago, better than the 30 per cent expected in a Reuters poll.
China's retail sales, fixed asset investment, refinery throughput and aluminium production for first two months of 2021 also marked strong growth.
Additionally, domestic investors were reassured after central bank governor Philip Lowe said that Australia's recent recovery was quick and strong, and that the country is doing much better than most other advanced economies.