The Australian share market has closed virtually flat after a choppy session during which investors shrugged off positive retail data.

At the close on Thursday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was 2.6 points, or 0.04 per cent, higher at 5,904.2, while the broader All Ordinaries index was up 2.2 points, or 0.04 per cent, at 5,873.7, according to preliminary figures.

On the ASX 24, the March share price index futures contract was 10 points higher at 5,893, with 18,972 contracts traded.