ASX 200 hits two-month high as miners lead, BHP ends at two-year peak
Australian shares closed at a two-month high Thursday, with the S&P/ASX 200 up 0.5% to 8,861.70 as miners rallied. BHP hit its strongest level in over two years; Rio Tinto gained 0.4%. Financials rose 0.5% but remain down for the month. Traders await the Reserve Bank of Australia’s policy decision on Feb. 3.