Australian shares ended 0.8 percent higher on Friday, with broad-based gains across all sectors following an upbeat US jobs report and gains in key commodity prices. The S&P/ASX 200 index was up 40.01 points at 5,318.9 at the close of trade, after three straight sessions of losses. The benchmark dropped 0.8 percent on Thursday. The index lost 1.6 percent this week, after seven straight weekly gains.
After its worst start to a year in decades, the benchmark is now up 0.4 percent for 2016 so far. New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index rose 0.30 percent or 21.26 points to finish the session at 7,024.38. Banks led the advance amid hopes the stocks will be more attractive if Australia cuts interest rates for a second time in 2016, which will boost the economy by lowering borrowing costs.
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group rose 1.6 percent, while Commonwealth Bank of Australia firmed 0.1 percent, Westpac Banking Corp gained 0.2 percent and National Australia Bank grew 0.7 percent. Miners also fared well, with BHP Billiton 1.6 percent higher, rival Rio Tinto up by 0.9 percent and its spin-off, South32 gaining 1.2 percent.
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