New Zealand shares climbed to their highest level in nearly three months on Monday as an unexpected jump in U.S. employment raised hopes of a quicker global economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
More than 2.5 million people were newly employed in the United States last month, following a record plunge of over 20 million in April.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index <.NZ50> was up 1.9% or 207.1 points to 11,378.77, at 1056 GMT. The benchmark closed 0.5% lower on Friday.
The closure of Australian financial markets for a holiday kept volumes to just about a fifth of the 30-day average.
National carrier Air New Zealand <AIR.NZ> jumped 10.3% to its highest since March 12 after saying it aims to return to "healthy profits" by 2022 despite warning of further job losses.
Movie software maker Vista Group <VGL.NZ> was the top percentage gainer on the index, surging 13%, while adventure goods retailer Kathmandu Holdings Ltd <KMD.NZ> added 12.3% in its fifth straight session of gain.
(Reporting by A K Pranav in Bengaluru; Editing by Kim Coghill)
