ASX notches gain as investors swarm back to stocks

Man watches ASX digital market boards.
The ASX200 has climbed as investors feel more confident of an imminent end to the rate hiking cycle. -AAP Image

The local share market has made a solid start to the week as expectations of an imminent end to the global rate rise cycle send investors swarming back to equities.

The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index on Monday finished up 51.1 points, or 0.73 per cent, at 7,124.7 in its highest close since September.

The broader All Ordinaries climbed 51 points, or 0.7 per cent, to 7,336.1.

The rally comes off the back of a 0.46 per cent gain last week and a strong finish from Wall Street on Friday, after dovish comments from Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell.

The Australian dollar is nearing a four-month high against its US counterpart, buying 66.56 US cents, up from 66.12 US cents at Friday's ASX close.