Telstra shares closed at A$5.19 Friday, up 1.37%, after the company bought back 3.49 million shares for about A$18 million this week. The S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.14% and is down 6.32% in March amid inflation and rate concerns. Telstra outperformed rival TPG Telecom, which ended at A$3.91. The buyback program is set to run until June 30 but can be suspended at any time.