The local share market has risen modestly but that was enough to extend its winning streak to 10 days, for the first time in nearly a decade.
The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index on Thursday rose 16.5 points, or 0.21 per cent, to 8,027, while the broader All Ordinaries gained 24.1 points, or 0.29 per cent, to 8,258.1.
It is the longest winning streak for the ASX since a 12-day stretch in January and February of 2015 and it's left the ASX200 just 1.1 per cent from the all-time closing high set back on August 1.
All of the gains this week have been small, less than a quarter of a percentage point. But IG analyst Tony Sycamore said the gritty grind higher might be more sustainable than an explosive rally built on shaky foundations.
Thursday's gains seemed to be driven by the overnight release of minutes from the US Federal Open Market Committee's last meeting making it clear it was all but certain the Fed would cut US interest rates in September.
Seven of the ASX's 11 sectors finished higher on Thursday and two closed lower, with energy and health care basically flat.
Tech was the biggest mover, gaining 1.8 per cent as Wisetech Global climbed another 7.8 per cent to a fresh all-time high of $120.39, on top of its 18.4 per cent rise on Wednesday after a well-received earnings report.
Megaport plunged 21 per cent to a six-month low of $9.32 after the cloud connectivity company swung to its first profit but disappointed on its guidance for the current financial year.
Super Retail Group rose 6.2 per cent to an all-time high of $17.70 after the Supercheap Auto and Rebel Sports owner reported record full-year sales of $3.9 billion and a strong start to the current financial year.
"In a macroeconomic environment where cost-of-living pressures are dampening consumer spending, the delivery of top-line growth is a testimony to the strength of our four core brands," chief executive Anthony Heraghty said.
Collins Foods dropped 12.9 per cent to a more than one-year low of $7.68 after the KFC franchisee said in recent months, the impact of persistent inflation on operating costs had more than outweighed a small jump in sales.
Whitehaven Coal gained 6.3 per cent to a one-week high of $7.65 after the coalminer announced offtake agreements with three Japanese steel giants and reported underlying 2023/24 earnings of $1.4 billion.
Also gaining on the back of earnings announcements were alternative asset manager MA Financial Group (up 16.3 per cent), sports betting platform Pointsbet Holdings (up 14.0 per cent), youth fashion retailer Universal Store (11.2 per cent), metal detector manufacturer Codan (11.4 per cent), property developer Stockland (3.5 per cent) and goldminer Northern Star (1.7 per cent).
Others losing ground after releasing earnings included financial services firm Insignia Financial (down 15.7 per cent), fertility company Monash IVF (11.0 per cent), radio station owner ARN Media (10 per cent), discount retailer The Reject Shop (9.7 per cent), car dealership chain Eagers Automotive (2.6 per cent) and health insurer Medibank Private (2.3 per cent).
The Big Four banks were mixed, with NAB up 0.2 per cent to $36.90, CBA adding 0.3 per cent to $136.46 and ANZ flat at $29.95, while Westpac dropped 0.8 per cent to $30.05.
The Australian dollar was buying 67.45 US cents, from 67.44 US cents at Wednesday's ASX close.
ON THE ASX:
* The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index finished Thursday up 16.5 points, or 0.21 per cent, at 8,027.0
* The All Ordinaries gained 24.1 points, or 0.29 per cent, to 8,258.1
CURRENCY SNAPSHOT:
One Australian dollar buys:
* 67.45 US cents, from 67.44 US cents at Thursday's ASX close
* 97.98 Japanese yen, from 98.32 Japanese yen
* 60.46 euro cents, from 60.63 euro cents
* 51.49 British pence, from 51.77 pence
* 109.48 NZ cents, from 109.76 NZ cents
