Australian shares edged higher on the final day of trading before the long weekend, with the surge driven by a strong performance from domestic retailers.
The benchmark ASX 200 index gained 0.4 per cent or 30.1 points, to finish trading at 8408.90 on Friday afternoon.
This was just shy of the 8415.5 point record closing for the local market.
While the broader All Ordinaries gained 0.36 per cent or 31.30 points to close at 8660.40 points.
The Australian doll...
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