Australian stocks are down as financial services pull on resource gains; NZ up

* Macquarie Leads Losses After Change of CEO

* Newcrest Mining Record Increase on the Benchmark

* The weakening of the US dollar aids the prices of the l 39 Gold to go up

By Nikhil Nainan

July 26 (Reuters) The Macquarie group dropped its positions on the emerging sector on Thursday following the announcement of a new CEO by the bank investment, although strong increases in gold stocks have supported the market.

The S & P / ASX 200 index was down just 1.6 points at 6,246 at 0200 GMT. The benchmark fell 0.3% on Wednesday.

Financial stocks, which account for more than a quarter of the benchmark, plummeted when Macquarie shares fell 4.7%, their lowest in all. a month.

Shares plummeted despite Australia's largest investment bank retaining its full-year earnings guidance with cautious investors as to the appointment of new CEO Shemara Wikramanayake.

"The prospects for them are positive, however, there seems to be a backtracking on the succession of (outgoing CEO) Nicholas Moore," said James McGlew, executive director of the stock market firm in Argonaut.

Macquarie remained relatively untouched by the Royal Commission in Australian banks, which helped it outperform its peers. Analysts believe the new appointment may have given investors a reason to take a profit on their Macquarie holdings. In addition to these losses, Australia and New Zealand lost 0.7%, contributing to a 0.5% decline in the sector index

.

The resource-driven sectors were the only ones to record gradual increases, aided by oil prices rising to over $ 74.64 per barrel and a sharp increase by Australia's largest gold miner, Newcrest Mining.

The gold index jumped nearly 4% after Newcrest announced a 15% rebound in gold production in the fourth quarter, reaching annual targets despite the loss of nearly 6% in gold prices. This year.

The energy sector rebounded after rising oil prices, according to data showing that US domestic crude inventories reached their lowest level since February 2015, easing fears of ## 148 ## 39, excess supply on the market.

The index was up 0.7%, with Woodside Petroleum and Santos pulling gains, up 0.8% and 2%, respectively.

New Zealand's S & P / NZX 50 benchmark rose 0.2% or 20.15 points to 8,954.04.

Healthcare sector stocks led gains, with Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd. and Ryman Healthcare Ltd. down 1.1% and 1.5%, respectively. Click