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SYDNEY, April 29 (Reuters) - Australian shares ignored Wall Street's downbeat cue to rise on Friday as resources stocks rode a commodity rally higher and banks firmed on hopes of a rate cut.
New Zealand shares also gained.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO rose 26.77 points to 5252.20 at the close of trade. The benchmark rose 0.51 percent.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 gained 0.45 percent or 30.60 points to finish the session at 6820.58.