Investors chasing yield prepared to ignore overseas results

The sharemarket finished higher on Monday, defying global leads, as investors continued their search for high-yielding stocks.

The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index jumped 28.3 points, or 0.6 per cent, to 5125.8, while the broader All Ordinaries gained 25.6 points, or 0.5 per cent, to 5108.3.

Softer than anticipated US GDP data was expected to weigh on local shares, but the search for yield prevailed.

Banking stocks had the strongest run, with the sector up 1 per cent. Commonwealth Bank and Westpac continued to push record highs, rising 1.1 per cent to $71.60 and 1.7 per cent to $33.12 respectively. NAB added 1.4 per cent to $33.08 and ANZ edged up 0.7 per cent to $30.10.

ANZ will on Tuesday report its first-half earnings, with market expectations of a $3 billion profit. Westpac, which is expected to record profit of $3.5 billion, will report on Friday.

"The buying in the banking sector has been broadly based, investors are still happy to go out there buying these high-yielding stocks," said Ord Minnett senior investment adviser Tony Paterno.

Mr Paterno said that with interest rates remaining at the lower end of the spectrum, investors were seeking higher returns for their cash.

Mining stocks continued to struggle after China's steel industry body warned that a sharp production increase was unlikely.

Rio Tinto slid 0.8 per cent to $55.36, despite the miner's report that a US copper mine, affected by a landslide, would start transporting ore within several days. Rival BHP was flat at $32.54 and Fortescue Metals fell 2 per cent to $3.50.

Aquila shares plunged 11.1 per cent to $1.81 after its Japanese partner pulled out of a coal exploration partnership. This will likely affect the company's attempt to raise $7.4 billion for an iron ore project in Western Australia.

Tabcorp shares jumped 1.5 per cent to $3.39 after it reported a 2.6 per cent rise in third-quarter revenue to $480.3 million.

Markets across the Asia-Pacific were little moved on Monday, a public holiday in China and Japan.

The spot price of gold in Sydney finished at $US1470.50 per ounce, having rebounded from a low of $US1461.90 in weekend trading.

The Australian dollar closed firmer, pushing above US103¢ and moving in line with the rising price of gold.