Aussie shares pare early gains to fade from record
The S&P/ASX200 came close to resetting its intraday record but retreated by the close. -AAP Image
Australia's share market has retreated after brushing up against record highs as heavyweight earnings results weighed against shocking misses for smaller companies.
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The discrepancy was clear in the two leading indices on Thursday, with the S&P/ASX200 gaining 28.7 points, up 0.32 per cent, to 9,043.5, while the broader All Ordinaries finished flat at 9,281.8.
The top 200 came within roughly 10 points of resetting its intraday best of 9,115.2, but ultimately handed back most of its 88-point lead by the close.
The big four banks led the charge after ANZ shares rocketed 8.5 per cent higher to a record $40.35, joining CBA in smashing its earnings forecast with a $1.9 billion cash profit in the December quarter.
The Australian dollar is still trading near three-year highs, buying 71.15 US cents, roughly on par with Thursday afternoon's 71.16 US cents.
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