Synopsis
The S&P/ASX 200 index gained as much as 0.6 per cent in early trading but reversed course to close 0.3 per cent lower at 7,270.2. It ended 0.1 per cent higher on Tuesday.
Getty Images
Australia s biggest supermarket chain Woolworths shed 1.9 per cent, its sharpest fall in six weeks, after local media reported that an independent review found failings by the firm over its plan to build a liquor store near alcohol-free communities in Darwin.
Australian shares pulled back from record highs to end lower in thin trade on Wednesday, weighed down by declines in financial stocks and supermarket giant Woolworths. The S&P/ASX 200 index gained as much as 0.6 per cent in early trading but reversed course to close 0.3 per cent lower at 7,270.2. It ended 0.1 per cent higher on Tuesday.
Inflation concerns have kept equity markets volatile in recent weeks as high readings could revive talk of an early tapering by the U.S. Federal Reserve, which will release new inflation data on Friday.
Synopsis
The benchmark ASX 200 index closed 0.2 per cent higher at 7030.3 points, and delivered a weekly gain of 0.23 per cent.
Getty Images
Banking stocks were flat, although three of the Big Four banks were trading in the black. Commonwealth Bank of Australia, which lost about 0.5 per cent, weighed in the index.
Australian shares on Friday flitted in and out of negative territory, but turned positive to end the week higher, with local tech stocks taking cues from an upbeat Wall Street session on signs of a pick-up in U.S. job growth this month. The benchmark ASX 200 index closed 0.2 per cent higher at 7030.3 points, and delivered a weekly gain of 0.23 per cent.