ASX Today Live News & Analysis

Australia's share market has clawed back most of the week's losses, as materials and banks rallied to help end the week on a high.

The S&P/ASX200 rebounded 59.9 points, or 0.68 per cent, to 8,864.9, as the broader All Ordinaries jumped 57.3 points, or 0.63 per cent, to 9,128.7.

The top-200 finished the week roughly six points lower, or down 0.07 per cent.

"It's pretty much a dead rubber for the week, but we've held the line ... and the market's looking pretty robust overall," Capital.com market analyst Kyle Rodda told AAP.

"Today's bounce stemmed from Wall Street and inflation data that's basically made it all systems go for a rate cut from the Fed next week."

Six of 11 local sectors finished the day in the green, led by financials, materials and real estate stocks, which each gained between 1.2 per cent and 1.5 per cent.

All big four banks rallied at least one per cent higher, led by Westpac (up 1.4 per cent), and CBA, which surged 1.3 per cent to $169.97, helping the broader sector close 0.4 per cent higher than a week ago.

A push in BHP shares to $40.81 buoyed the materials sector, almost wiping the week's losses as iron ore miners rallied on reports Beijing plans to address local government balance sheets, which could unlock more infrastructure funding.

ASX-listed gold miners continued to shine, with Newmont and Evolution up more than two per cent each and Northern Star gaining 1.6 per cent as the precious metal edged towards Tuesday's record $US3,764 ($A5,655) an ounce.

Energy stocks slipped 2.4 per cent after US crude demand and global oversupply concerns snapped a three-day winning streak for oil prices.

Woodside shares slid 3.4 per cent to $24.22, despite the company winning federal environmental approval to extend its North West Shelf gas project by 40 years.

The real estate sector also benefited from the rally in cyclicals, as Goodman Group added two per cent and Scentre, Mirvac and Stockland all gained 1.4 per cent or more.

IT stocks improved by 0.6 per cent as Megaport lifted 0.8 per cent on broad market strength to $94.93, despite going ex-dividend.

Companies including Qantas, Cochlear, A2 Milk and South32 will go ex-dividend next week.

The Australian dollar is trading at its highest value in 10 months, buying 66.59 US cents, up from 66.12 US cents on Thursday at 5pm.

ON THE ASX:

The S&P/ASX200 jumped 59.9 points on Friday, or 0.68 per cent, to 8,864.9

The broader All Ordinaries slipped 57.3 points, or 0.63 per cent, to 9,128.7

The NZX 50 Lost -1.25 points (-0.01%) to 13,227.90 while the Nikkei gained 395.62 points (0.88%) at the time of writing, to be closed at 44,768.12

Companies commencing Ex-Dividend Trading Today (ASX 300):

CAR Group Limited

Cleanaway Waste Management Limited

G8 Education Limited

Wisetech Global Limited