Australian shares edge higher but uncertainty lingers

Miners and banks helped lift the ASX higher, but energy was the best-performing sector. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

Two long-awaited headlines have helped Australian shares lift higher, but the modest gains may signal residual gloom in the global economy.

The S&P/ASX200 rose 26.9 points, or 0.33 per cent, to 8,178.3, as the broader All Ordinaries gained 30.5 points, or 0.36 per cent, to 8,399.8.