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MELBOURNE, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Australian shares ended up 0.5 percent on Thursday as investors piled into battered stocks following recent steep falls, though sentiment remained shaky with many regional markets turning lower.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO rose by 22.47 points to 4864 points at the close of trade.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 fell 0.54 percent or 32.8 points to finish the session at 6,080.9.