The Australian share market has closed lower, giving back its early gains as investors mull over a mixed bag of earnings reports.

At the close on Thursday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was 11.5 points, or 0.19 per cent, lower at 5,904.2, while the broader All Ordinaries index was down 8.1 points, or 0.14 per cent, at 5,869.8, according to preliminary figures.

On the ASX 24, the March share price index futures contract was eight points lower at 5,868, with 22,438 contracts traded.