The S&P/ASX 200 closed higher on Thursday, adding 46.70 points, or 0.53%, to finish at 8,873.80 — marking a new 100-day high. Temple & Webster Group Ltd led the gains, rising 8.75%, followed by Origin Energy Ltd, which climbed 6.33%. Over the past five trading sessions, the benchmark index has advanced 0.48% and now sits 0.28% below its 52-week peak.
A couple of strong small cap announcements, helped the Small Ordinaries index end the day up 10.50 points, or 0.30%, at 3,479.20, bringing its five-day gain to 0.73%. Buru Energy identified a new deep gas prospect beneath its proven Rafael field in WA’s Canning Basin, while Alkane Resources reported more high-grade gold hits at its El Paso prospect in NSW, results that could lift resources and extend mine life at Tomingley.