The S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX: XJO) share price finished on a negative tone on Friday, falling 0.3 per cent on concerns that Iran may be considering an attack on Israel in the coming months.
This dragged every sector but the utilities and technology sector lower, which gained 1.2 and 0.5 per cent, with both consumer-facing down 0.9 per cent each.
Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) share price fell 1.3 per cent as the company faces growing pressure from major industry fund shareholders around its emission targets.
Pizza-maker Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) share price fell 7.5 per cent after management addressed concerns around its Japanese operations and outlined a plan to expand its store network by 1,000 stores.
Domino’s Pizza share price
It was a similar story for Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR) as the casino operator fell 7.3 per cent after flagging significant falls in revenue across VIP and normal gaming areas, and an 11 per cent fall in profit.
Shares in Boral Ltd (ASX: BLD) gained 1.5 per cent after Seven Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: SVW) finally improved its offer to takeover Boral;.
US markets suffer worst day since January: Israel-Iran conflict sends dollar and gold higher
All three US benchmarks fell on Friday amid concerns that Iran would attack Israel in the coming days, which came to fruition over the weekend.
The result was a surge in both the US dollar and gold bullion as investors sought perceived ‘safe haven’ assets.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX: .DJI) share price fell 1.2, the S&P 500 (INDEXSP: .INX) share price 1.5 and the Nasdaq Composite (INDEXNASDAQ: .IXIC) 1.6 per cent. This took share price losses for the week to 2.4, 1.6 and 0.5 per cent.
Among the more interesting outcomes this week was Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) becoming the biggest positive contributor to market returns for the first week in many months.
In company news, both JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE: JPM) and Wells Fargo & Co (NYSE: WFC) reported this week, with the former’s share price falling 6.5 per cent and the latter 0.4 after both highlighted falling net interest margins, a massive contributor to profitability.
On the positive side, Citigroup Inc (NYSE: C) fell 1.7 per cent but the company reported profit ahead of expectations on the back of strong demand for credit cards and corporate finance.