Australia shares close at 8-month high

MELBOURNE: Australian shares rose 0.3 percent to close at their highest level in eight months, as top phone company Telstra Corp, Woodside Petroleum and miner Fortescue Metals gained on assurances on dividends and production.

The S&P/ASX 200 index climbed 14 points to finish at 4,362.7, its highest close since Aug 2.

New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index picked up 2.4 points to close at 3,525.2.