Sector majors BHP Group BHP.AX and Rio Tinto RIO.AX gained 0.5% and 1.2%, respectively. By Ayushman Ojha Oct 26 (Reuters) - Australian shares ended lower on Thursday led by a drag in tech stocks and financials, a day after surprisingly strong third-quarter inflation raised odds of an interest rate hike in November. Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor Michele Bullock on Thursday said the strong third-quarter inflation report was around policymakers' expectations, and they were still considering whether it would warrant a rate rise.