The S&P/ASX 200 finished nearly flat at 8,882 on Friday, erasing earlier gains, as losses in discretionary stocks offset advances in gold miners and major banks. The index also ended 1.5% lower for the week, its sharpest decline since late March, and logged a modest 0.4% monthly gain, weighed by growing bets that the RBA will hold rates in November amid a surprisingly strong inflation report. The consumer discretionary sector dragged the market lower, down 1.7% to a three-month low amid waning policy-easing bets and weakness in major retailers. Top non-food retail conglomerate Wesfarmers slid 2.5% on valuation concerns, while electronics retailer JB Hi-Fi fell 3.4% amid weak sales growth. On the upside, gold stocks surged 3.3% on record bullion price expectations, though the sector remains nearly flat for the month. Financials edged higher, with Westpac and CBA gaining 0.7% and 1%, respectively, NAB flat, and ANZ slipping 0.6% after reporting a more than A$1 billion hit to H2 earnings.