Australian shares closed higher on Friday, snapping three weeks of consecutive losses, as investors were heartened by growing views that the country's central bank may consider an interest rate cut at some point next year.
Sentiment was also bolstered by speculation that US Federal Reserve will pause its tightening cycle after the widely expected rate hike later this month.
The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 0.4 percent or 23.8 points to 5,681.5 at the close of trade for a weekly gain of 0.25 percent. The benchmark lost 0.2 percent on Thursday.
Healthcare stocks drove the gains on the benchmark, with the country's fifth biggest firm by market value CSL firming 2.6 percent, while Cochlear rose about 3 percent.
Top lender Commonwealth Bank of Australia climbed 1 percent, while the benchmark was also underpinned by a jump in consumer cyclicals. Conglomerate Wesfarmers rose 0.7 percent, while Star Media Group advanced 5.3 percent and was the top percentage gainer on the main index.
However, the metals and mining sector lost 0.5 percent, with index heavyweight BHP Group declining 0.7 percent, hurt by a dip in metal prices.
New Zealand's benchmark closed little changed as gains in consumer cyclicals were offset by a fall in the healthcare sector.
The S&P/NZX 50 index edged up 0.1 percent or 9.10 points to 8,767.32.
Dairy giant A2 Milk rose 2.4 percent, while retirement village operator Ryman Healthcare slumped 1.3 percent.