Investing.com – Australia stocks were higher after the close on Thursday, as gains in the , and sectors led shares higher.

The added 0.3% to the Sydney close was enough for a 6-month high.

Challenger Ltd. (ASX) was the best performer of the session, rising 9.81% or 0.67 point to close at 7.50. Meanwhile, Brambles Ltd (ASX 🙂 gained 7.98%, or 0.80 points, to finish at 10.82. Lend Lease Group was up 5.05% (or 0.58 points) to 12.06 in late trading.

These were the worst performers of the session. Megaport Ltd (ASX:), fell 21.55%, or 2.75 points, to trade at 10.01 at close. Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX) fell 4.82%, or 0.22 point to finish at 4.34. Alumina Ltd was down 4.10% (or 0.08 points) to 1.87.

The Sydney Stock Exchange saw falling stocks surpass advancing stock by 716 to 711, and ended the day unchanged with 422.

Challenger Ltd. shares (ASX:), rose to 52-week peak; rising 9.81% or 0.67 towards 7.50. Megaport Ltd. (ASX) shares fell 21.55%, or 2.75 to 10.01 to their 52-week lows.

The , which measures the implied volatility of S&P/ASX 200 options, was up 0.29% to 13.11.

For June delivery, Gold Futures fell 0.12% to $1.953.35 an ounce. In commodities trading, crude oil rose by 2.01% or 2.01 to reach $104.20 per barrel. The June Brent oil contract rose 2.6% or 2.20, to trade at $109.00/barrel.

The AUD/USD exchange rate was stable at 0.1%, 0.74 and 0.12 respectively. However, the AUD/JPY traded up 0.12% to 95.33.

US Dollar Index Futures were down 0.5% at 99.90.