Australian shares ended at a more than 11-year high on Friday after gold stocks snapped their losing streak to help the benchmark to its best weekly performance since early February, while energy stocks slipped on weak oil prices. The S&P/ASX 200 index closed up 0.1 percent, or 3.50 points, at 6,385.60, after gaining 1 percent on Wednesday, before the holiday to mark ANZAC Day. The index ended higher for a fourth straight week, rising 2 percent.
Gold stocks were the biggest gainers, surging 2.2 percent to end a four-day losing streak, after bullion climbed on Friday, as signs of weak global growth rekindled investor interest in the safe-haven metal.
Saracen Mineral Holdings and Newcrest Mining jumped 5.5 percent and 2.4 percent, respectively.
Meanwhile, financials, the benchmark's biggest constituents, erased early losses to end higher for an eighth straight session. The index saw its best week since late February, gaining 2.6 percent.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index closed 0.8 percent lower at 9,994.57, after hitting a record high on Wednesday. The index gained 0.4 percent this week.
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