The Australian sharemarket ended higher today, despite a mixed lead from international markets overnight.

Nearly all sectors were in positive territory by the close, utilities being the exception with AGL Energy (-1%) causing a majority of the damage.

The big four banks finished the session mixed; ANZ climbed 1.2%, while NAB declined 1.2% following on from yesterday's disappointing profit result.

Australia's largest miners were in the headlines due to BHP's half year profit result.

Rio Tinto gained 1.1% following an announcement that it will be spending an extra US$3.4 billion in expanding its iron ore operations in Western Australia's Pilbara region.

Fortescue jumped 3.2% as speculation emerged that it could become a potential takeover target following this week's deal between Glencore and Xstrata.

In the broader market, Gunns soared 36% (after being up as much as 100% at one stage) after announcing a planned capital raising of $280 million – $150 million of that being allocated to billionaire investor Richard Chandler.

The ASX 200 put on 17 points (0.4%), to close at 4291.

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Evening Market Analysis: Afternoon Gains is a post from: Australian Stock Report Market Pulse Blog