Australian shares edged lower on Friday despite strength in energy and gold stocks, following Israeli air strikes on Iran that rattled investor sentiment. The S&P/ASX 200 fell 14.9 points, or 0.2%, to 8550.2 by 2pm AEST, with seven of 11 sectors in decline.

The ASX edged higher by midday, with the S&P/ASX 200 up 21 points, or 0.2%, at 8613.1, supported by a rally in energy stocks following a sharp 5% rise in oil prices. Global sentiment was dampened by a sell-off in US tech giants and rising US-Iran tensions, while the S&P 500 closed 0.3% lower overnight.

The ASX 200 closed at a record high of 8592.1 on Wednesday, rising 0.1% after reaching an intraday peak of 8639.1. Gains were driven by optimism over China-U.S. trade negotiations, with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick citing productive talks and a new framework agreement emerging post-trade.

The ASX 200 surged 0.9% to 8590 by midday, surpassing its February record of 8555.8, driven by strength in energy and banking stocks amid optimism surrounding US-China trade talks in London. Nine of 11 sectors posted gains. The Australian dollar touched a six-month high at US65.25¢.

The Australian sharemarket dipped slightly on Friday, mirroring Wall Street’s cautious tone ahead of key US jobs data. The S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.1% to 8529 points by early afternoon, with seven of eleven sectors in decline, though the index remains within reach of a new record high. The All Ordinaries fell 0.2%.

The Australian sharemarket edged slightly lower on Thursday, with the S&P/ASX 200 dipping 10.8 points, or 0.1%, to 8531 by 2pm. The index had opened higher but gave up gains as investors awaited a catalyst to push it to a new record, after coming within 15 points of an all-time high on Wednesday.