The local share market's unbroken streak in the new year has reached a fourth day, while the Aussie dollar hit an almost three-week high.
The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index on Tuesday rose 27.7 points, or 0.34 per cent, to 8,285.1, while the broader All Ordinaries climbed 26.4 points, or 0.31 per cent, to 8,542.9.
There wasn't much news driving the market, although the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported on Tuesday building approvals fell 3.6 per cent in November, weaker than the expected 1.0 per cent drop.
A domestic inflation readout for November due to be released on Wednesday could provide more of an impetus to drive equities in either direction.
In currency, the Australian dollar had climbed further against its US counterpart, buying 62.68 US cents, from 62.28 US cents at Monday's close.
Earlier in the day the Aussie hit 62.69 US cents, its highest level since its December 19 plunge, which was prompted by the Federal Reserve forecasting fewer US interest rate cuts in 2025.
Seven of the ASX's 11 sectors finished higher on Tuesday, with materials/mining, consumer staples and utilities lower.
Tech was the biggest mover, climbing 1.5 per cent as NextDC rose 2.9 per cent and Xero added 2.2 per cent.
In the heavyweight mining sector, the major miners fell as iron ore prices slid to a one-month low on rising stockpiles and faltering demand from China.
Fortescue fell 4.4 per cent to a three-month low of $17.25, while BHP and Rio Tinto both dropped 0.7 per cent, to $38.70 and $114.65.
The big four banks were mostly higher, with CBA up 0.7 per cent to $157.11, Westpac rising 0.5 per cent to $32.87 and ANZ advancing 0.6 per cent to $29.02. NAB was the outlier, flat at $37.82.
IAG fell 2.1 per cent to a two-week low of $8.38 after the insurance giant announced it had bought $10 billion in reinsurance to protect itself from two major catastrophes.
In small caps, 4D Medical climbed 14.7 per cent to a one-month high of 54.5 cents after the respiratory imaging company received US regulatory clearance for its AI-driven lung diagnostic tool.
The ASX's winning streak is its longest since a four-session stretch from November 14-19.
The last time it had a longer streak was in September, when it rose for seven straight sessions from September 12-20.
ON THE ASX:
* The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index on Tuesday gained 27.7 points, or 0.34 per cent, to 8,285.1
* The broader All Ordinaries gained 26.4 points, or 0.31 per cent, at 8,542.9
CURRENCY SNAPSHOT:
One Australian dollar buys:
* 62.68 US cents, from 62.28 US cents at Monday's ASX close
* 98.93 Japanese yen, from 98.23 Japanese yen
* 60.27 euro cents, from 60.41 euro cents
* 49.98 British pence, from 50.07 pence
* 110.59 NZ cents, from 110.73 NZ cents
