FX.co ★ ASX 200 Secures 3rd Weekly Advance

The ASX 200 slipped 19 points, or 0.2%, to close at 8,954 on Friday, snapping a three-session winning streak as weaker U.S. stock futures and escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz kept investors on edge ahead of Pakistan-mediated U.S.–Iran talks set for Saturday. Sentiment was further pressured by inflation concerns after Australia’s monthly gauge rose 1.3% in March, its fastest pace on record, underscoring a resurgence in price pressures since late 2025. In China, Australia’s key trading partner, March consumer inflation came in below expectations, but producer prices climbed for the first time in nearly three years. Sector declines were led by process industries, followed by consumer durables, logistics, and healthcare. Among notable laggards were Evolution Mining (-2.7%), Wisetech Global (-2.6%), Transurban Group (-1.9%), and Fortescue (-1.3%). Despite Friday’s pullback, the market still logged its third consecutive weekly advance, rising 4.4% as extended bargain hunting continued after the benchmark recently touched a four-month low.