S&P/ASX 200 retains upward momentum, Australian shares linger around record level as ANZ powers bank rally; check top gainers and losers

Australian shares closed higher on Thursday, nearing record levels, driven by a strong rally in financials following robust earnings from ANZ Group. The S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.32%, with ANZ and Commonwealth Bank leading the upward movement. Despite gains in utilities and gold stocks, declines in healthcare and technology capped the index's ascent.