By Oliver Gray
Investing.com - The S&P/ASX 200 was trading 4.60 points or 0.20% lower to 7355.60 in early APAC deals on Friday, snapping four consecutive sessions of gain despite a strong session in U.S. indices, with real estate stocks declining while stronger commodity prices boosted miners and energy companies alike.
In coronavirus news, New South Wales added 1043 fresh cases today, as the state races toward its vaccination targets, while Victoria recorded 733 new cases, easing slightly from yesterday’s record tally of 766.
Among stocks, energy companies opened higher as Crude Oil prices traded near 3-year highs, with Woodside Petroleum Ltd (ASX:WPL) up 2.85%, Oil Search Ltd (ASX:OSH) adding 1.01% and Santos Ltd (ASX:STO) up 0.92%. Stabilizing Iron ore prices also buoyed mining stocks, with Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX:RIO) up 0.24% and Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX:FMG) adding 0.77%. Meantime, real estate stocks declined, with Charter Hall Group (ASX:CHC) falling 2.05% and Mirvac Group (ASX:MGR) down 1.9%.
On the bond markets, Australia 10-Year yields were at 10-week highs of 1.39%, while U.S. 10-year Treasury yields jumped to 11-week highs of 1.434%
ASX 200 Futures were down 28 points or 0.38%.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 was 11.17 points or 0.08% lower at 13294.75.