Australian shares edge up again to hit eight-day high

Six of the ASX's 11 sectors finished higher, with consumer staples adding 2.2 per cent. (Steven Saphore/AAP PHOTOS)

The local share market has finished higher for a fourth day in a row, this time amid solid gains for Coles and plumbing group Reece.

Just as it did Monday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index on Tuesday shrugged off its midday losses to close slightly higher, rising 10.2 points, or 0.13 per cent, to an eight-day peak of 7,663.0.