News: BXB Australia shares end at 1-month low as Brambles cuts profit forecast; NZ up

(Updates to close)

Jan 23 (Reuters) - Australian shares ended at a one-month low on Monday, with industrials the biggest drag on the benchmark after Brambles Ltd (BXB) cut its annual profit forecast.

The S&P/ASX 200 index (xjo) ended down 0.8 percent, or 43.75 points, at 5,611.0. The benchmark closed 0.7 percent lower on Friday.

Logistics company Brambles Ltd fell as much as 17.6 percent, accounting for a quarter of the losses on the index. The stock posted its biggest intraday percentage loss in nearly nine years.

The company expects constant-currency sales revenue and underlying profit growth for year ending 30 June 2017 to be below its current guidance range.

Financials .AXFJ were the second biggest drag on the benchmark, with the "big four" banks falling between 0.1 percent and 0.4 percent.

Healthcare stocks also fell, with CSL Ltd (CSL) accounting for most of the losses, declining 2.7 percent.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index (nz50) rose 0.3 percent, or 19.38 points, to 7,067.85.

Utilities and Industrials pushed the benchmark up, with Meridian Energy Ltd (MEL) and Auckland International Airport Ltd (AIA) gaining 1.5 percent and 0.7 percent, respectively.