S&P/ ASX 200 ends Friday at 9,020.8 after global tech sell-off

The S&P/ASX 200 ended Friday's session at 9,020.8 points, down 44.3 points or 0.49 percent from Thursday's close. The decline followed a sharp retreat in global technology shares, but the Australian benchmark recovered part of its early loss. The closing level and session performance were reported by PerthNow.

Opening losses ease by the close

The index fell as much as 115 points near the opening of trading before recovering during the afternoon. The move followed a steep overnight sell-off on Wall Street, where investors reassessed the outlook for artificial-intelligence companies and the pace of data-centre construction. Concerns about possible tighter regulation and restrictions on data-centre projects weighed on risk appetite across global markets.

Within the Australian benchmark, materials shares fell 2.51 percent and information technology declined 0.78 percent, according to PerthNow. Seven of the 11 sectors finished lower. Consumer staples was the strongest area, supported by Woolworths, Coles Group and Endeavour Group, while financial stocks also provided some support.

Miners absorb global technology pressure

Large mining companies were among the main drags. BHP fell 2.34 percent, Rio Tinto declined 2.03 percent and Fortescue lost 2.00 percent, as weaker risk sentiment and pressure on industrial commodities affected the resource-heavy market. Technology stocks also remained under pressure, although their weight in the S&P/ASX 200 is smaller than in major US technology benchmarks.

The ABC reported that 42 stocks advanced, while 154 declined. Its sector summary likewise showed gains in consumer staples and financials offsetting losses in materials and technology.

Weekly performance remains positive

Friday's decline partially reversed Thursday's 2.61 percent advance to 9,065.1 points, which had followed a broad relief rally after the US midterm elections. The S&P/ASX 200 nevertheless finished the week higher, extending a recent period of gains despite renewed volatility in global equities and uncertainty around interest rates, commodity demand and the outlook for artificial-intelligence investment.

For investors, the session highlighted the index's mixed exposure: resource and technology shares remained vulnerable to global risk reduction, while banks and defensive consumer businesses helped cushion the benchmark. Further S&P/ASX 200 coverage is available in the S&P/ASX 200 topic.