ASX trades higher as retailers advance; Sigma slumps on Boots talks

The Australian share market experienced an increase, defying a sell-off on Wall Street and heightened tensions in the Middle East following US strikes on Iran. Retail stocks were a notable driver of the market's gains. However, Sigma, a pharmaceutical company, saw its stock price decline significantly due to ongoing discussions regarding a potential acquisition by Boots.

This indicates investor sentiment is currently more focused on domestic retail performance and specific company news than on broader geopolitical and international market movements.