By Aamir Khalid
Australian shares logged their best week in three on Friday, with gains in miners and banks, as global risk sentiment improved after softer-than-expected U.S. jobs data eased further Federal Reserve rate-hike bets.
The S&P/ASX 200 index ASX:XJO closed 1.4% higher at 8,844.40 points, its highest closing level since June 18 and best day since June 12. For the week, the index gained 0.9%, its best since the week ended June 12.
The market, which is heavily weighted towards miners and banks, took its cue from the global rally in commodity-linked stocks and financials on the prospect of lower-for-longer borrowing costs.
"Expectations of lower U.S. interest rates are generally supportive for equities, while the rise in gold and silver could provide a tailwind for Australia's major mining names," said Chris Strazzeri, financial dealing manager at Moomoo Australia and New Zealand.
Traders are now pricing in a 17.6% chance of a Fed interest rate hike in July, down from nearly 30% on Thursday. [0#USDIRPR]
"The broader market is likely to take confidence from the possibility of easier monetary policy ahead," said Strazzeri.
Miners ASX:XMM led the rally, rising 2.6%, aided by higher metal prices, and finishing with their best week in over a month. Gold stocks climbed 8.3% to close at their highest level in over a week.
BHP Group ASX:BHP rose 1.6%, and Mineral Resources ASX:MIN gained 2.1%.
Banks ASX:XFJ jumped 1.1% with all "Big Four" banks rising between 0.4% and 2.4%.
Health stocks ASX:XHJ surged 2.7%, posting their seventh straight week of gains, with sector major CSL ASX:CSL closing up 3.5% on Friday.
"Healthcare was battered in the last FY, and has been stabilising in the last couple of months, and investors are finally waking up to how cheap they are in a historical context," said Mark Gardner, CEO of MPC markets.
Tech stocks closed 0.3% higher while energy stocks ASX:XEJ ended flat.
Across the Tasman Sea, the New Zealand benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index NZX:NZ50G rose 0.3% to 13,618.42 points.