Updates to close

By Aaditya GovindRao

May 6 (Reuters) - Australian shares ended slightly lower on Tuesday, as losses in healthcare and banks offset gains in commodity-linked stocks.

The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO inched 0.1% lower to 8,151.4 points at the close of trade. The benchmark rose as much as 0.1% earlier in the session.

Healthcare firms .AXHJ tumbled 1.9%, with pharmacy chain Sigma Healthcare SIG.AX losing 6% to hit a one-month low. Pharmaceutical giant CSL CSL.AX closed 2.8% lower.

Investors were likely booking profits on healthcare stocks ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's meeting on Wednesday, said Jessica Amir, market analyst at trading platform Moomoo.

While the U.S. central bank is largely expected to keep interest rates unchanged, its commentary will be scrutinized for signs of future monetary policy adjustment.

Healthcare firms largely depend on exports to the U.S. and are negatively impacted by a strong Australian dollar, which has been hovering near a five-month peak. AUD/

The financial sector .AXFJ closed 0.4% lower, extending Monday's losses after Westpac's WBC.AX interim results missed market estimates.

Westpac fell 2.1% while National Australia Bank NAB.AX lost 1.5%.

Fund manager HMC Capital HMC.AX was the top loser on the benchmark, shedding 6.2% after it cut annual earnings outlook while wagering firm Tabcorp TAH.AX added 9.7%, the most on the benchmark after Jefferies hailed its strategy refresh.

Gold miners .AXGD charged 4.3% to record their strongest session in over three weeks after bullion prices rose to a two-week high on safe-haven buying prompted by renewed concerns of U.S. tariffs. GOL/

Northern Star Resources NST.AX gained 4.2%, while Evolution Mining EVN.AX rose 5.1%.

The broader mining sub-index .AXMM closed 0.8% higher, while energy stocks .AXEJ jumped 0.8% as oil prices rebounded over 1%. O/R

Energy major Santos STO.AX advanced 0.7% while fuel retailer Viva Energy VEA.AX climbed 2.6%.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 ended flat at 12,421.09 points.

(Reporting by Aaditya Govind Rao in Bengaluru; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee)

((Aaditya.govindrao@thomsonreuters.com))