Updates to close
ASX 200 logs fresh record close
Banks touch record high in the session
Sigma soars on debut after Chemist Warehouse merger
By Kumar Tanishk
Feb 13 (Reuters) - Australian shares closed flat on Thursday as gains in gold and iron ore miners, supported by robust underlying commodity prices, offset losses in financials.
The S&P/ASX 200 .AXJO finished just 0.1% higher, but logged a fresh record close at 8,540 points. The benchmark hit a record intraday high of 8,575 points earlier in the day.
Iron ore prices rose for the second consecutive day amid fears of supply disruptions following the closure of Port Hedland, a key export hub for major minors in Western Australia, due to a tropical cyclone. IRONORE/
"The duration of this impact will depend on the cyclone's severity and the time required to resume normal operations, which could range from a few days to several weeks," said Junvum Kim, an Asia Pacific Senior Sales Trader at Saxo Markets.
Export-reliant miners .AXMM rallied 1.9% to their highest levels since December 12, 2024. BHP BHP.AX gained 2.1%, Fortescue FMG.AX rose 1.8% and Rio Tinto RIO.AX added 1.1%.
Gold miners .AXGD climbed 0.9%, tracking bullion prices higher.
Northern Star Resources NST.AX jumped as much as 1.8% on posting a roughly 25% rise in half-yearly profits, before ending the session 0.2% higher.
However, financials .AXFJ, which makes up over a third of the benchmark, retreated 0.3% after touching a record high of 9322.5 points in the session.
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia CBA.AX recouped earlier losses to hit a fresh high of A$167.6. On Wednesday, the stock touched a record high after clocking an over 2% rise in half-yearly profits.
Meanwhile, Treasury Wine Estates TWE.AX slumped as much as 8.5% on trimming its 2025 profit outlook and dragged consumer stocks .AXSJ 1% lower.
In corporate news, Sigma Healthcare SIG.AX soared as much as 9.2% on its inaugural day as a merged entity with Chemist Warehouse.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 also ended flat, losing 0.01% to settle at 12,905.98 points.
(Reporting by Kumar Tanishk in Bengaluru; Editing by Sumana Nandy)
((Tanishk.Kumar@thomsonreuters.com;))
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