Australian Shares Closed Higher Today

• The Australian share market has closed higher, recovering some of the Tuesday's losses after positive US retail sales figures. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index was 33.40 points up, or 0.64 per cent at 5,245.40 while the broader All Ordinaries index was up by 35.70 points, or 0.68 per cent at 5,255.50.

• The local currency (AUD) is trading firmly against US dollar amid positive US retail sales figures. Presently, it is trading at 89.15 US cents.

• Among the sectors, all performed good. Here's how:

• Consumer Discretionary:        1,798.3            28.2

• Consumer Staples:                   9,925.2            70.9

• Energy:                                       13,222.7          73.6

• Financials:                                  5,774.2           40.3

• Health Care:                              14,259.5          88.2

• Industrials:                                 3,856.7           14.7

• Information Technology:         743.5               11.3

• Materials:                                   9,826.5            33.3

• Telecommunication Services: 1,814.3             8

• Utilities:                                      5,415.6             32.8

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