$S&P/ASX 200 (.XJO.AU)$edged 0.1% higher to 7199.0 as gains among consumer stocks helped offset weakness in materials. The benchmark index opened higher following Friday's positive lead by U.S. equities, but tumbled back into the red before a late lift.
The heavyweight financial sector edged just 0.2% higher as weakness in wealth managers and insurers ate into narrow gains compiled by major banks.
Shares of iron-ore miners were mixed, but gold and lithium stocks closed pulled the materials sector 0.6% lower.