SYDNEY, AAP – A mixed Australian share market has finished the day close to where it started as investors wait for US jobs data.
Gains for the commodity shares of energy and materials offset losses for much of the market, particularly in consumer discretionaries and telecommunications.
US monthly jobs data due on Friday night could provide clues as to whether rampant inflation may send the nation into recession.
The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed down 5.8 points, or 0.08 per cent, to 7493.8 on Friday.
The index was a little more than 100 points from its record of August.
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The All Ordinaries index closed lower by 3.7 points, or 0.05 per cent, to 7785.9.
The market had its third consecutive week of gains and improved 1.18 per cent.
The Australian dollar was buying 74.77 US cents at 1620 AEDT, lower from 74.85 US cents at Thursday’s close.