Australia: Shares end losing streak, but down 1.7% for the week

[SYDNEY] Australian shares snapped a four-day losing streak to end 0.2 per cent higher on Friday helped by gains in banks and miners but weak energy stocks capped increases.

The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 11.6 points to 5,454.3 at the close of trade. The benchmark lost 0.4 per cent on Thursday. The index shed 1.7 per cent this week, after four weeks of gains.

New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index ended 0.4 per cent higher to finish Friday's session at 5,483.99 points.

REUTERS