ASX 200 jumps to record intraday high; Star, Ramsay, Harvey Norman gain; bitcoin surges

ASX 200 hits all-time intraday high, just misses closing record, with end-of-month buying a factor. Plastics manufacturer Qenos may shut plants. Star, Ramsay Health Care and Harvey Norman gain. 

Earnings season in Australia drawing to a close as global rate and inflation developments and commentary also remain on investor radars. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Welcome to the Trading Day blog for Thursday, February 29. The ASX 200 index closed 0.5 per cent higher at 7698.70 points after hitting an all-time intraday high of 7703.80 points as trading ended.

The Aussie dollar is higher, trading near US65.18c.