The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose only slightly last week after a big drop the week before, the Labor Department reported on Thursday, raising hopes that Friday's closely watched non-farm payrolls report would show improvement.

The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index rose 42 points to 4,494.4, its highest close since Aug 1, 2011, according to the latest data. The benchmark rose 2.4 percent this week.

New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index finished 0.6 percent or 22.9 points higher to 3,904.9.