Mining companies and biotech firms helped the ASX 200 rise 0.5 per cent on Friday. Macquarie Group managed to reset its record high.
The ASX 200 closed 0.6 per cent per cent lower on Thursday,down 41.4 points to 7,485.7 with an ex-dividend BHP the biggest contributor to the fall.
The ASX improved in afternoon trading after a weak start,closing just 0.1 per cent lower. The major banks and Telstra rose,while energy stocks were strong.
The S&P/ASX 200 added 30.4 points,or 0.4 per cent,on Tuesday to close at 7534.9 points,the highest close in more than two weeks.
The ASX 200 finished 0.2 per cent ahead on Monday. The iron ore giants - led by Fortescue Metals - surged ahead,but the rest of the blue-chips were weak.
The Australian sharemarket finished flat on Friday,but still managed a 0.3 per cent weekly gain. Investors were awaiting direction from the US Fed at the Jackson Hole symposium tonight.
The ASX 200 closed 0.5 per cent lower on Thursday at 7491.2,amid a rush of earnings reports. Investors were sour on figures from Appen,a2 Milk and Link,but Qantas,Flight Centre and Ramsay Healthcare shares rose.
Gains for the mining and banking titans helped the ASX 200 add 0.4 per cent on Wednesday,with tech shares also strong.
The ASX 200 halted its five-day slide with a 0.4 per cent gain on Monday,closing at 7489.9. Consumer staples and energy stocks sagged,while tech and property companies gained.
The Australian sharemarket retreated for a fifth straight session on Friday,the first time it has done so since the early days of the COVID-19 crash. It was the worst week for the ASX 200 since January.
The Australian sharemarket improved from a weak start,but faded again to close 0.1 per cent lower. CSL,BHP,and Rio Tinto weighed heavily,while the banks,Pro Medicus,and Domino’s Pizza surged.