The S&P/ASX 200 opened largely unchanged around 9,035 on Friday, pausing for a second consecutive session, as investors awaited key quarterly inflation data next week that could shape the central bank’s policy outlook. Markets also weighed flash PMI figures showing Australia’s factory activity contracted for the first time this year while services growth accelerated in October. Still, the index is poised for a second straight weekly gain, partly due to improving global trade developments. In the latest update, the US confirmed a meeting between President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping later this month, alongside another round of high-level trade talks set for this weekend at the ASEAN Summit. On the corporate front, miners and energy stocks led gains, up 0.2% and 0.6%, respectively, amid firmer commodity prices. In contrast, losses were seen in financials, as three of the “Big Four” banks slipped up to 0.4%.