The utilities sector soared beyond 2% at midday Thursday. Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 4.2% in July, compared with 4.3% in June. The total number of employed people increased to 14.6 million.

The S&P/ASX 200 reached a new intraday trading record at 8899.10 points.

Origin Energy (ASX:ORG), which jumped over 5%, reported fiscal 2025 underlying earnings of AU$0.867 per share, up from AU$0.687 a year earlier. Revenue for the 12 months ended June 30 was AU$17.22 billion, compared with AU$16.14 billion a year earlier.

On the flip side, the communication services sector struggled, shedding more than 1%.

Telstra Group (ASX:TLS), which fell almost 3%, reported fiscal 2025 earnings of AU$0.189 per share, up from AU$0.141 a year earlier. Revenue for the 12 months ended June 30 was AU$23.13 billion, compared with AU$22.93 billion a year earlier.