Aussie stocks edge up as lumbering banks cap progress

Australia's stock market has closed slightly higher, giving up gains made at the start of trading. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Australia's share market has handed back most of its early gains to limp higher, as investors stalled ahead a key inflation data release.

The S&P/ASX200 rose 11.9 points on Tuesday, up 0.14 per cent, to 8,537, as the broader All Ordinaries gained 23.8 points, or 0.27 per cent, to 8,824.2.