Australia shares climb on U.S. Stimulus hopes

CANBERRA, June 20: Australian shares rose 0.8 percent in early trade on Wednesday, following gains on Wall Street on hopes the US Federal Reserve will extend stimulus measures as the world�s biggest economy struggles to recover and the euro zone debt crisis worsens.The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index had gained 31.9 points to 4,155.2 as of 0553 hrs IST.New Zealand�s benchmark NZX 50 index fell 22.5 points to 3,457.9, led down by a 5.7 percent drop in Fisher & Paykel Healthcare as it traded without rights to its dividend. (AGENCIES)