KONTAN.CO.ID - SYDNEY. Australian shares barely moved on Friday, as strong gains in health care stocks were countered by weakness in banks. The S&P/ASX 200 index inched up 0.10 points to 6,268.4 at the close of trade. The benchmark jumped 0.9% on Thursday. The index of health care stocks jumped 1.5% to a record high. The defensive sector has significant exports to the U.S., and benefits from weakness in the local currency.
Australian shares struggle to advance, New Zealand rises
KONTAN.CO.ID - SYDNEY. Australian shares barely moved on Friday, as strong gains in health care stocks were countered by weakness in banks. The S&P/ASX 200 index inched up 0.10 points to 6,268.4 at the close of trade. The benchmark jumped 0.9% on Thursday. The index of health care stocks jumped 1.5% to a record high. The defensive sector has significant exports to the U.S., and benefits from weakness in the local currency.