Australian shares rose tracking Asian markets as investors await a multitude of central bank interest-rate decisions later this week.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index rose almost 0.8% or 64.5 points to close at 8,314.

Investors' focus this week remains on the Fed decision, followed by policy announcements in Japan, the Nordics, and the UK, Bloomberg reported.

Analysts expect the US Federal Reserve to lower interest rates by 0.25%, the report said.

In domestic news, Australian consumer confidence weakened in December as expectations around the economy pulled back sentiment, according to a survey. The Westpac-Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index fell 2% to 92.8 in December from 94.6 in November.

In company news, Pexa Group (ASX:PXA) named Russell Cohen as Chief Executive Officer, effective Mar. 31, 2025, succeeding Glenn King, who will step down on Feb. 28, 2025. The company's shares rose past 8% at market close.

Information technology services provider Data#3 (ASX:DTL) said the impact of Microsoft's changes to its partner incentive program will likely be immaterial to fiscal 2025 results. Shares tumbled 10% at market close.

BlueScope Steel (ASX:BSL), BHP Group (ASX:BHP), and Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) will develop Australia's largest iron-making electric smelting furnace pilot plant in Western Australia while Woodside Energy (ASX:WDS) will join the consortium as an equal equity participant and energy supplier.