Utility sector leads Australian shares higher

The local share market has climbed for a second day, but finished the week slightly lower after beginning the stretch with three days of losses.

The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index finished Friday at the highs of the day, rising 61.2 points, or 0.74 per cent, to 8,285.2, while the broader All Ordinaries gained 59.1 points, or 0.7 per cent, to 8,539.0.

For the week the ASX200 dipped 9.9 points, or 0.1 per cent, after a standout 2.2 per cent gain the previous week following Donald Trump's victory.

Every sector gained ground except health care, with utilities the biggest gainer, rising 2.4 per cent.

The Australian dollar was buying 64.63 US cents, from 64.62 US cents at Thursday's ASX close.