The Australian stock exchange market closed at new record high Thursday as the benchmark S&P/ ASX200 rose 7.9 points to a record 6,245.6, while the all ordinaries lifted 12.4 points to 6,236.9, also a record close.

Market turnover reached 1.7 billion shares worth 5.58 billion Australian dollars (4.6 billion U.S. dollars), with 689 stocks rising, 556 stocks falling and 360 unchanged.

Among the resources stocks, BHP Billiton firmed 13 cents to 29. 89 dollars while rival Rio Tinto advanced 28 cents to 83.03 dollars.

In the banking sector, National Australia Bank added 19 cents to 44.00 dollars, Commonwealth Bank rallied 21 cents to 53.85 dollars,ANZ lost 5 cents to 30.74 dollars, Westpac shed 34 cents to 27.20 dollars.

Among the media stocks, News Corp strengthened 19 cents to 28. 76 dollars.

Telecommunications giant Telstra dipped 1 cent to 4.84 dollars.

Source: Xinhua