The share market has achieved its longest winning streak in more than 11 years, with the financial sector driving its latest day of gains.
The market rose by almost 0.6 per cent, marking its eleventh straight session in positive territory.
“We haven’t seen that sort of winning streak since October 2003,” CommSec market analyst Steven Daghlian said.
The All Ordinaries index has risen nine per cent since January 20, taking it to fresh six-and-a-half year highs.
The market overcame a weak start on Thursday, caused by falling oil prices.
“But that was shrugged off not too long into the trading session,” Mr Daghlian said.
The financial sector led the day, pushing Commonwealth Bank, Westpac and ANZ to new record highs.
“The cash rate cut on Tuesday has made higher yielding stocks more attractive,” Mr Daghlian said.
Commonwealth Bank gained $2.48, or 2.7 per cent, to $93.27, Westpac added 21 cents to $36.44, ANZ rose 36 cents to $34.98 and National Bank was 47 cents higher at $36.97.
NAB on Thursday announced a six per cent rise in quarterly profit to $1.65 billion.
Macquarie Group also performed well, adding 68 cents to $65.53.
Energy and mining sectors fell amid tumbling oil and iron ore prices.
Santos dropped 27 cents to $8.09, Woodside shed 61 cents to $35.26 and Oil Search lost 24 cents to $8.23.
BHP Billiton fell 63 cents to $31.36, Rio Tinto dropped 53 cents to $60.20 and Fortescue Metals was seven cents weaker at $2.51.
Qantas was a strong performer, adding 12 cents to $2.50, and Telstra gained seven cents to $6.67.
KEY FACTS
* At the close on Thursday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 33.7 points, or 0.58 per cent, at 5,811.
* The broader All Ordinaries index was up 31.8 points, or 0.55 per cent, at 5,765.5.
* The March share price index futures contract was 29 points higher at 5,755 with 36,083 contracts traded.
* The price of gold in Sydney at 1700 AEDT was $US1,272.10 per fine ounce, up $US9.38 from $US1,262.72 on Wednesday.
* National turnover was 1.66 billion securities worth $6 billion.