SYDNEY, AAP – Marginal gains have ensured the ASX closed higher for a sixth trading day in the past seven.

The commodity categories of materials and energy, helped by higher oil prices, offset minor falls in most others.

Utilities shares also benefited from the higher commodity prices. This was the best category and improved two per cent.

The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index on Thursday closed up 9.2 points, or 0.12 per cent, to 7387.1.

The index is fewer than 300 points from its record high in August last year.

 

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The All Ordinaries closed higher by four points, or 0.05 per cent, to 7669.

The Australian dollar was buying 74.79 US cents at 1622 AEDT, higher from 74.54 US cents at Wednesday’s close.