The Australian share market reached a historic milestone today, February 26, 2026, with the S&P/ASX 200 surging to a fresh record high for the second consecutive session. The index climbed 48 points or 0.54% to settle at 9,177.30, after briefly touching an intraday peak of 9,202.90. This performance marks a 3.5% gain for the month of February, fueled by a high-conviction earnings season and shifting global trade dynamics. Mining heavyweights led the charge as the Materials sector extended its winning streak to eight months. BHP hit a record close of $57.75, rising 2.2%, while Rio Tinto climbed 3.7%. These gains come despite mixed signals in iron ore futures, which are currently fluctuating near $99.07 per ton. Investors are instead prioritizing strong corporate fundamentals and a recent 10% surge in copper prices, which reached approximately $5.80 per pound. The Healthcare sector also provided significant momentum, rising 1.6% today. Ramsay Health Care was a standout performer, jumping 10.4% to $42.00 after reporting a 9.7% increase in half-year revenue to $9.34 billion and raising its interim dividend by 6.3%. Telix Pharmaceuticals followed suit with a 10.9% advance, reinforcing the sector's role as a primary engine for the current rally. Technology and Financials continue to support the broader index, with the "Big Four" banks delivering robust results. Commonwealth Bank recently reported a record first-half cash profit of $5.45 billion, triggering a sector-wide re-rating. Overall, 66% of reporting companies have increased dividends this season, significantly outperforming historical norms and providing a steady cushion for equity valuations. In the aviation sector, Qantas Airways experienced a volatile session following its half-year results. While the airline reported an underlying profit before tax of $1.456 billion and announced a $150 million share buy-back, the stock dived 9.8% to $9.61. Investors reacted to missed statutory profit expectations and rising concerns over international division costs, airport charges, and government fees. Looking ahead, the market remains focused on the Reserve Bank of Australia’s next move. Current pricing indicates a 20% chance of a rate hike in March, with a full 25-basis-point increase fully priced in for June. Despite these hawkish undertones and geopolitical tensions affecting energy prices, technical analysis suggests the ASX 200 maintains a bullish trajectory with potential targets between 9,400 and 9,500 in the coming months.