Australia: Shares gain 1% as positive Fed talk sparks relief

[SYDNEY] Australian shares rose 1 per cent on Thursday as an upbeat economic assessment from the Federal Reserve triggered a relief-rally in global markets that had been unnerved by Russian financial turmoil and tumbling oil prices.

The S&P/ASX 200 index added 0.95 per cent or 48.94 points to 5210.80, its biggest one-day rally since Dec 19, 2013, their biggest one-day gain since Dec. 2.

New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index rose 0.4 per cent or 21.89 points to finish the session at 5518.48.

REUTERS