Updates to close

By Sherin Sunny

Feb 25 (Reuters) - Australian shares settled lower on Tuesday as weak corporate earnings of Domino's Pizza and Johns Lyng Group soured market sentiment, with consumer discretionary and technology stocks leading the decline.

The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO fell 0.7% to 8,251.9, posting its sixth session of loss in seven.

Weak U.S. market leads and "nasty" corporate results dragged down the benchmark, said Henry Jennings, a senior market analyst at Marcus Today Pty.

The Nasdaq and the S&P 500 fell overnight as investors worried about demand for technology supporting artificial intelligence. .N

In Sydney, Domino's Pizza Enterprises DMP.AX closed 10.5% lower and was among the top laggards, after the pizza chain operator posted first-half profit below expectation. It was the top loser on the consumer discretionary sub-index .AXDJ, which fell 2.7%.

Building services provider Johns Lyng Group JLG.AX plunged 33.4% to post its lowest close since early-September 2020, after reporting weaker-than-expected first-half results. The stock was the top drag on the benchmark index.

Meanwhile, Zip Co ZIP.AX rose 13.9% to become the top gainer on the benchmark after the Australia-based digital financial services firm said its first-half cash earnings more than doubled and forecast annual earnings ahead of consensus expectations.

Among sectors, technology .AXIJ closed 1.6% lower, with Jennings saying WiseTech Global WTC.AX continued to weigh on the sub-index.

WiseTech Global closed 2.8% lower. The stock fell more than 20% on Monday after four directors decided to step down.

Financials .AXFJ ended 0.6% lower, with the "Big Four" banks shedding between 0.1% and 1.3%. The sub-index had snapped a seven-session losing streak on Monday.

Miners .AXMM ended 0.8% lower, while gold stocks .AXGD rose 0.7%. IRONORE/ GOL/

Energy stocks .AXEJ climbed 0.3% on higher oil prices as fresh U.S. sanctions on Iran increased supply concerns. O/R

Woodside Energy WDS.AX ended 2.8% higher after the oil and gas major beat annual profit estimates.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 ended 1.8% lower at 12,307.27.

(Reporting by Sherin Sunny in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)

((Sherin.Sunny@thomsonreuters.com))

For more information on DIARIES & DATA: U.S. earnings diary  RESF/US   Wall Street Week Ahead   .N/O Global Economy Week Ahead DATA/ ................................................................ For latest top breaking news across all markets          NEWS1