THE share market closed higher with some broad-based gains despite thin volumes.
At the 16:15 (AEDT) close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index had gained 35.1 points, or 0.75 per cent, to 4739.3, while the broader All Ordinaries added 31.7 points, or 0.67 per cent, at 4756.1.
On the Sydney Futures Exchange, the March share price index futures contract was 39 points higher at 4727 on a volume of 15,374 contracts.
CMC Markets analyst David Taylor said the market held up reasonably well given the sheer lack of activity.
It was also the last full day of trading before tomorrow's truncated day session and the four-day Christmas holiday break.
"Not only were volumes very light but Japan was also on a public holiday celebrating the Emperor's birthday,'' Mr Taylor said.
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"A solid lead from Wall Street kept things buoyant.
"Newcrest Mining performed well despite a fall in the gold price, mining operations in WA that were meant to have been impacted by cyclone Laurence weren't,'' Mr Taylor said.
"The miner also spruiked the benefits of a lower Aussie dollar for the company and shareholders cheered.
"We saw money flowing into a good cross-section of the market. There were gains in healthcare and consumer staples as well as the energy, finance and materials sector.''
Major miner BHP Billiton gained 27 cents to $41.92 and Rio Tinto was up 53 cents to $73.28.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 50.79 points, or 0.49 per cent, to 10,464.93, while the broader Standard & Poor's 500 firmed 3.97 points, or 0.36 per cent to 1118.02.
Shares higher at noonHousehold wealth rises but still far below peak
