Australian shares close higher ahead of widely expected RBA rate hike

By Kumar TanishkFinancials led broad gains in Australian shares on Monday as investors braced for a near-certain central bank rate hike due to come in a day later.The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index ASX:XJO rose 0.2% to 8,679.70 points after falling 0.4% on Friday. The benchmark remained nearly 1.6% be…