Australian shares snapped three sessions of losses to rise 0.5 percent on Friday, thanks to strength in financial stocks, while New Zealand shares reversed losses to finish the session 0.3 percent higher ahead of Saturday's general elections. The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 0.5 percent, or 26.68 points, to 5,682.1 at the close of trade, but finished the week 0.2 percent lower. The benchmark fell 0.9 percent on Thursday.
Banks and insurers lifted the index, with National Australia Bank Ltd posting its highest close in over a month, and Suncorp Group Ltd climbing 2.8 percent to end at its highest since September 1. New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index reversed early losses to rise 19.37 points, finishing at 7,814.78. The index ended the week 0.7 percent higher.
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd led the comeback, rising 1.3 percent to close at its highest in one week. New Zealand heads into elections on Saturday, with a final opinion poll showing the ruling National Party's lead over the opposition Labour Party slipping to 8.5 points, meaning minor parties could well decide who forms the next government.
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