Australia: Shares reverse losses to end higher on week, banks rally

[SYDNEY] Australian shares reversed early morning losses to finish higher on Friday as a late-session rally among banks and an uptick in high-yielding stocks helped boost investor sentiment ahead of key US jobs data due later in the global day.

The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 0.4 per cent or 20.5 points to 5,318.20 at close. The benchmark lost 0.7 per cent on Thursday, but edged 0.1 per cent higher on the week, snapping five consecutive weeks of losses.

New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index slipped 0.2 per cent or 8.2 points to finish the session at 5,237. - Reuters