The S&P/ASX finished 0.9% higher to a four-month high of 9,086 on Thursday, rallying for a fourth consecutive session, as heavyweight banks and commodity-linked stocks lifted the market. The financial sector jumped 1.4% to an all-time high, as National Australia Bank extended gains after reporting stronger quarterly profits. The other “Big Four” lenders followed, climbing over 2% each. Additionally, heavyweight miners gained 1.4%, boosted by stronger copper prices and a rebound in tech stocks. BHP, the world’s top copper producer, rose 1.8%, while Rio Tinto added 2% after beating full-year estimates. Gold stocks and energy firms also surged after bullion and oil prices jumped on rising geopolitical tensions. Meanwhile, a strong January jobs report boosted the risks of monetary policy tightening by the Reserve Bank of Australia at its May meeting. Markets now price in an 80% chance of a rate hike in the 3.85% cash rate, from 70%, with a 4.10% increase now fully priced in by August.