Australia: Shares recoup losses as miners rally

[MELBOURNE] Australian shares clawed back most of their losses on Friday to end almost unchanged, thanks to a late rally in mining stocks which offset losses in heavyweight banks and consumer stocks.

The S&P/ASX 200 index cut losses to end at 4,976.2 points at the close of trade, maintaining gains as prices recovered from two-week lows hit on Wednesday.

The benchmark fell just 0.08 per cent on Friday.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index edged up 0.26 per cent or 16 points to finish the session at 6,153.80.

REUTERS