THE Australian sharemarket finished on a 16-month closing high as progress with the US fiscal cliff negotiations led to across the board gains for local stocks.
At the close,the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 21.8 points,or 0.48 per cent,at 4595.2 points,while the broader All Ordinaries index had risen 22.5 points,or 0.49 per cent,to 4610.5 points.
On the ASX 24,the December share price index futures contract was 29 points higher at 4602 points,with 167,860 contracts traded.
Australian Stock Report head of research Geoff Saffer said the Australian market had its highest close since late July 2011 after US politicians appeared to be making progress on their"fiscal cliff"negotiations.
Just two weeks remain before tax increases and government spending cuts,referred to as the fiscal cliff,start taking effect in the US if no deal is reached.
"I think it was mainly widespread buying today on hopes that US politicians will reach a compromise before the end of the year,"he said.
Mr Saffer said the Reserve Bank of Australia's minutes of its December board meeting also suggested the cash rate could be cut further in 2013,which prompted investor buying.
The Australian market recorded gains across the board with mining,utilities and healthcare the best performing sectors.
BHP Billiton jumped 31 cents to$36.66,Rio Tinto soared$1.18 to$64.70 and Fortescue gained 13 cents to$4.60.
The four major banks all finished in positive territory.
ANZ was up 2c to$24.51,National Australia Bank gained 12 cents to$24.60,Westpac added 6c to$25.81 and Commonwealth Bank jumped 16 cents to$61.45.
Market turnover was 1.77 billion securities worth$4.99 billion,with 536 stocks up,434 down and 352 unchanged.
