By Oliver Gray
Investing.com - The S&P/ASX 200 added just 6.4 points or 0.1% to 7,330.5 after the first 45 minutes of Friday's trade, extending losses of 0.3% in the previous session as traders digested weakening inflation pressures in the U.S. while strong local employment figures yesterday boosted bets of a 25 basis point hike by RBA policymakers next month.
ASX 200 Futures were pointing 0.2% lower.
Among stocks, Gold miners lifted 2.6% amid higher spot prices. Gold Road Resources Ltd (ASX:GOR) lifted 2.3%, Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX:NST) added 2.9%, Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX:EVN) gained 2.6% and Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX:PRU) lifted 2.1%.
Real estate companies fell 0.5% collectively, with Goodman Group (ASX:GMG) down 1.8%, Charter Hall Group (ASX:CHC) dipping 0.4% and Mirvac Group (ASX:MGR) down 0.2%.
Among currencies, the AUD is holding near 2-month highs of 0.6789, while Bitcoin is also trading higher.
On the bond markets, Australia 10-Year rates were at 3.334%.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 was down 0.1% to 11,922.2.