ASX 200 ends at near 2-month high ASX 200's intraday high 8 pts...

	  ASX 200 ends at near 2-month high 

	  ASX 200's intraday high 8 pts shy of record 

	  Banks end as top gainers, for record closing high 

	  Miners, oil firms track commodity prices higher 

Australian shares jumped on Thursday to within touching distance of their all-time high, tracking the record-breaking run on Wall Street.

The S&P/ASX 200 benchmark index (xjo) rose 0.9% to close at 7,889.6 points, a near two-month high.

It hit a session-high of 7,902.6, just eight points shy of its all-time high.

Globally, stocks rose, with markets from Tokyo to New York at record highs, while traders counted down to U.S. data that is expected to show inflation easing and pave the way for rate cuts in September.

"Aussie equities are riding on a string of historical winning waves from Wall Street, we can clearly see the follow through effects across all sectors on the ASX," said Glenn Yin, head of research and analysis at AETOS Capital Group.

In Sydney, financials .AXFJ led for a third straight session, ending the day 0.5% higher at a record-high close.

Miners .AXMM added 1.2% as iron ore prices climbed on hopes that top consumer China will introduce more stimulus at its upcoming key meeting.

BHP (BHP) , Rio Tinto (RIO) and Fortescue (FMG) gained between 0.2% and 1.9%.

Energy stocks .AXEJ added 1.1% on rising crude prices, while gold stocks .AXGD extended gains to an eighth session, climbing 2.2%.

The U.S. inflation data is key for the market to gauge whether the Federal Reserve will start rate cuts in September.

Global central banks, including Australia's, take cues from the Fed.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index (nz50) rose 1% to more than a three-month high, in its third straight session of gains.