The COB: Friday Fizzle

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The S&P/ASX 200 gave back some gains after climbing to record highs earlier this week. On Friday, the index shed 0.05% to 9,081.40 points. But over the course of the week, the index rose 1.8%.

In the US, investors turned risk averse overnight, amid building US-Iran tensions, which saw equity markets fall. This sentiment weighed on the local tech sector, which fell 2.4% today.

Meanwhile, reporting season took its toll on Rio Tinto, lower by 3.3% on flat annual earnings for the year amid lower iron ore prices.

Shares in Guzman y Gomez hit a record low, after reporting softer than expected US sales.

Heading the other way, QBE Insurance gained 7.1% with investors reacting positively to a 21% increase in full-year net profit driven by improved investment returns, and lower disaster payouts.

And Telix Pharmaceuticals flagged over US$950 million in revenue for 2026, which lifted shares by 14.2%.

Next week, the inflation read will be under scrutiny following a stable jobs report on Thursday. On the corporate calendar; Woodside, Karoon, Coles and the ASX will hand down results.