The share market has finished firmer for the seventh consecutive session, adding more than one per cent after the European Central Bank indicated it could buy corporate bonds.
The news boosted global share markets and eased fears about the sluggish European economy, Lonsec senior client adviser Michael Heffernan said.
“There’s a profound change in the sentiment in Europe and you’re seeing their markets up around two per cent,” he said.
“Europe was a real big worry last week and the week before.”
Among the big miners, BHP Billiton climbed 52 cents, or 1.5 per cent, to $34.27, preliminary figures show, after its latest production report said it was on target to hit 16 per cent production growth over two years.
Rio Tinto climbed $1.24, or two per cent, to $61.21 and Fortescue Metals was 11 cents higher at $3.66.
Energy companies rose after an oil price jump, with Santos up 21 cents, or 1.64 per cent, at $13.01, while Woodside Petroleum gained 21 cents to $39.89.
Among the banks, Commonwealth added 39 cents to $77.57, Westpac gained 33 cents to $33.74, ANZ rose 41 cents to $32.88 and National Australia Bank lifted 33 cents to $33.85.
KEY FACTS
* At 1615 AEDT on Wednesday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 60.9 points, or 1.14 per cent, at 5,385.9 points, according to preliminary figures.
* The broader All Ordinaries index was up 60.8 points, or 0.14 per cent, at 5,373.3 points.
* The December share price index futures contract was up 59 points at 5,370 points, with 30,384 contracts traded.
* National turnover was 1.5 billion securities worth $3.8 billion.
