Australia's sharemarket is trading at its highest level since late October after CommBank shares closed higher on a record $5.4 billion first-half cash profit.
The S&P/ASX200 jumped 147.4 points on Wednesday, up 1.66 per cent, to 9,014.8, while the broader All Ordinaries rose 141.9 points, or 1.55 per cent, to 9,281.8.
Commonwealth Bank shares lifted more than 6 per cent to $169.63, with other major bank shares also closing higher.
The Australian dollar is trading above 71 US cents for the first time since January 2023, propelled by rebounding commodity prices and a higher local interest rate outlook.
The Aussie is buying 71.12 US cents, up from 70.71 US cents on Tuesday at 5pm AEDT.
