The S&P/ASX200 came close to resetting its intraday record but retreated by the close.
Australia's sharemarket has retreated after brushing up against record highs as heavyweight earnings butted up against significant losses for some individual stocks.
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 big four banks led the charge as 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 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.
