By Susan Mathew
Dec 16 (Reuters) - Australian shares were sluggish on Friday afternoon with financials supporting the market although a stronger U.S. dollar hit gold and oil prices, sending materials and energy stocks lower.
The dollar reached 14-year highs against a basket of major currencies on the back of the U.S. Federal Reserve's rate hike and signal of three more rate hikes in 2017. An expected boost to U.S. economic growth under President-elect Donald Trump also underpinned the greenback. FRX/ .DXY
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO was flat at 5537.1 points as at 0137 GMT as gains in financials and industrials were offset by losses in gold and oil stocks.
"Markets are betting on the underlying strength of the U.S. economy and clearly the interest rate direction given by Federal Reserve," said James McGlew, executive director of corporate stock-broking at Argonaut.
The benchmark gold index .AXGD slumped to its lowest in over 8 months, falling as much as 6.1 percent.
The index was dragged down by Newcrest Mining NCM.AX , the biggest stock on the index by market value, which fell over 6 percent.
The metals and mining index .AXMM fell over 0.7 percent with declining iron ore prices adding to the pressure as Chinese iron ore futures dropped for a second session on Thursday. IRONORE/
Mining giant BHP Billiton (LON:BLT) BHP.AX , which also has significant oil interests, fell 0.2 percent.
Fortescue Metals FMG.AX , however, was one of the top gainers on the metals index, as it reassured investors with a further $1 billion repayment of a 2019 senior secured credit facility. stocks, which rallied hard earlier this week after global producers struck a deal to cut output, tumbled as a stronger greenback pressured demand for dollar-denominated crude. O/R Petroleum WPL.AX , bellwether of the Australian oil sector, was 1 percent lower. Beach Energy BPT.AX fell to over two-week lows, losing 2.4 percent.
On the brighter side, financial stocks posted gains with the benchmark financial index .AXFJ rising as much as 0.25 percent. Commonwealth Bank of Australia CBA.AX was among the top gainers, up 0.5 percent.
Financials and industrials at home have tracked a rally in their U.S. peers - the biggest beneficiaries Trump's election win as markets bet the new administration will boost spending on infrastructure, cut taxes and simplify regulations.
Industrials led the gains, driven up by a nearly 2 percent rise in construction firm CIMIC Group's CIM.AX shares.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 was up 0.7 percent, or 49.56 points, at 6798.18.
The index was supported by utilities and industrials with Meridian Energy MEL.NZ rising 1.8 percent and Auckland International Airport AIA.NZ gaining 1.6 percent.