Australia shares set to open higher on Biden's address; NZ gains

Australian shares were likely to rebound on Friday following their worst session since September 2020, after US President Joe Biden unveiled harsh new sanctions against Russia after Moscow launched an all-out invasion of Ukraine.

The local share price index futures rose 0.6%, a 2.6 point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index close. The benchmark fell 3% on Thursday.

Australia shares end higher

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index rose 0.9% in early trade.