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SYDNEY, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Australian shares closed at a one-month high on Thursday as investors took heart from gains on Wall Street and sought bargains in mining and energy stocks following months of heavy selling.
A 3-percent gain on China's mainland stock markets .SSEC as they resumed trading after a week-long break also helped boost Australian shares.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO rose 0.2 percent or 12.5 points to 5,210.4, its highest close since Sept. 9 and its fourth consecutive day of gains. The benchmark is still down almost 4 percent so far this year.
New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index fell 0.4 percent or 24.3 points to finish the session at 5,625.8.