[MELBOURNE] Australian shares ended up 0.5 per cent on Thursday as investors piled into battered stocks following recent steep falls, though sentiment remained shaky with many regional markets turning lower.

The S&P/ASX 200 index rose by 22.47 points to 4864 points at the close of trade.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index fell 0.54 per cent or 32.8 points to finish the session at 6,080.9.

REUTERS