The Australian share market has closed in positive territory with the big miners leading the bourse higher after continued gains on Wall Street overnight.
At the 1615 AEDT close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 48 points, or 1.36 per cent, at 3588, while the broader All Ordinarieshad gained 48.6 points, or 1.4 per cent, at 3528.2.
On the Sydney Futures Exchange, the December share price index futures contract was up 32 points at 3596 points on volume of 27,576 contracts.
Cameron Securities client adviser Adrian Leppinus said the market put in a strong performance, with the resources sector leading the way.
"Most of the strength is all over the resources," he said.
"BHP Billiton is up another five per cent and Rio Tinto is up another two per cent."
IG Markets research analyst Ben Potter said the market could continue its gains through to Friday as the US stockmarket was closed tonight.
"With US markets closed for Thanksgiving, there is a good possibility today's positive momentum will carry through to tomorrow."
Shares in resource giant BHP Billiton closed up $1.55, or 5.69 per cent, at $28.80.
The company said on Thursday that it was better placed than any other major miner to withstand the global financial and commodities markets turmoil.
Rio Tinto, was in the green after a heavy slump yesterday after BHP abandoned its proposed takeover bid.
Rio Tinto shares gained 84 cents, or two per cent, at $42.85.
Australia's second biggest oil and gas producer, Woodside Petroleum, was up $2.10, or 6.58 per cent, at $34.00, Oil Search had risen 40 cents, or 8.93 per cent, at $4.88 and Santos had gained 13 cents to $14.13.
