Investors took profits amid lingering uncertainty over the Iran ceasefire, halting a three-week market rally. While the tentative truce holds for now, caution prevailed across Asian markets ahead of the weekend.
The ASX 200 dipped 0.1% on Friday to 8,946.90 points, marking a 0.2% weekly decline. Six of eleven sectors closed lower despite varied performances across industries.
Tech Sector Defies Market Weakness
Technology stocks surged 13% this week, with WiseTech Global (ASX: WTC) rising 2.9% to $46.18 and NextDC (ASX: NXT) gaining 1.6% to $14.12 on Friday alone.
Zip Co (ASX: ZIP) jumped 13.7% to $2.33 after lifting full-year guidance, driven by a 43% Q3 surge in U.S. transaction volumes.
Retail and Gold Stocks Under Pressure
Broker warnings about fuel prices and interest rates dampening consumer spending hit retail stocks. Harvey Norman (ASX: HVN) fell 3% to $4.57, JB Hi-Fi (ASX: JBH) dropped 0.5% to $76.07, and Wesfarmers (ASX: WES) declined 1.6% to $72.85.
Gold miners retreated despite firmer bullion prices, with Evolution Mining (ASX: EVN) down 2%, Northern Star (ASX: NST) falling 2.2%, and Catalyst Metals (ASX: CYL) sliding 5%.
Energy Stocks Dip on Oil Price Decline
Crude prices falling below $100 per barrel weighed on energy shares. Woodside Energy (ASX: WDS) slipped 0.2%, while Ampol (ASX: ALD) lost 0.8%.
Banking stocks showed mixed results, with National Australia Bank (ASX: NAB) down 2% and Westpac (ASX: WBC) falling 0.7%, while Commonwealth Bank (ASX: CBA) and ANZ (ASX: ANZ) edged higher.
Paladin Energy (ASX: PDN) rose 2.8% after upgrading production guidance for its uranium mine.
Week Ahead: U.S. Earnings in Focus
U.S. corporate results will be closely watched, with United Airlines, Tesla, and Intel among companies reporting. Strong software and semiconductor rebounds have supported recent market highs.
March U.S. retail sales data (expected +1.2% MoM) and testimony from Fed Chair-Designate Kevin Warsh will be key events.
Australian markets face a quiet week, with ETF dividend distributions potentially driving localized buying activity.
