S&P/ASX 200 hits record high, miners, banks gain, earnings lift Wall Street

ASX 200 index closes up 0.4% at a record high daily close of 7503.2 points, after hitting a record high of 7509.2 in early trading.  Retail sales match estimates. Holgate scores $1m AusPost settlement.

A solid US earnings season has bolstered optimism. Australia’s earnings season is just beginning. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Welcome to the Trading Day blog for Wednesday, August 4. The ASX 200 index closed up 0.4% at a record high daily close of 7503.2 points, after hitting a record high of 7509.2 in early trading. 

Australia Post has given former CEO Christine Holgate $1 million in settlement. June retail sales fell 1.8% on month and June quarter sales rose 0.8% on quarter.

Wall Street was boosted by earnings optimism. The Dow and S&P 500 both rose 0.8 per cent, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.6 per cent. European stocks were mixed and oil prices slipped again.

Originally published as S&P/ASX 200 hits record high, miners, banks gain, earnings lift Wall Street

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