Feb 21 (Reuters) - Australian shares rose on Friday, driven by gains in miners and

energy stocks on strong commodity prices, while Nine Entertainment ( NNMTF ) emerged as the top

gainer on the benchmark after 60%-owned Domain Holdings Australia ( DHGAF ) received a buyout

offer.

The S&P/ASX 200 index was up 0.1% at 8,333.1 as of 0026 GMT. The benchmark has,

however, lost 2.6% so far in the week.

Miners climbed as much as 1.5% after iron ore prices closed higher overnight.

BHP Group ( BHP ), Rio Tinto and Fortescue gained between 0.2% and 1.6%

on Friday.

Energy stocks gained up to 1.5%, on the back of strong oil prices.

Woodside Energy ( WDS ) and Santos were up 0.6% and 1.1%, respectively.

Financials sub-index advanced by 0.1%, with National Australia Bank ( NAUBF ),

Westpac and Commonwealth Bank of Australia ( CBAUF ) up between 0.3% and 0.6%.

Shares of newspaper publisher and free-to-air television network owner Nine Entertainment ( NNMTF )

were up at 20.5%, to record its highest level since March 25, 2024.

Nine Entertainment ( NNMTF ), which owns 60% of Australia's Domain Holdings, was offered to be bought

by U.S. online real estate firm CoStar ( CSGP ) in a deal that values it at A$2.65 billion

($1.70 billion).

On the earnings front, Sydney-based QBE Insurance ( QBEIF ) advanced by 8% to record its

highest level in fifteen years, as full-year results beat analysts' estimates.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index fell 0.7% to 12,790.99.

Shares of dairy giant Fonterra were up 3.5% after it forecast its earnings to meet

the upper half of its fiscal 2025 outlook, while hinting at paying a strong interim dividend.

($1 = 1.5615 Australian dollars)