The S&P/ASX 200 edged down 0.1% to close at 8,947 on Friday, extending losses from the prior session as healthcare, logistics, and retail weighed. The index posted its first weekly decline in four, down about 0.2%, with cost concerns lingering after April inflation expectations in Australia hit a three-year high. Meantime, the International Monetary Fund urged the Albanese government to avoid broad cost-of-living relief that could stoke inflation, while RBA Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser warned of a sharp income shock from oil price spikes tied to the Iran war. Still, losses were capped by reassurance that fuel supplies in Australia remain secure despite a blaze at Viva Energy’s refineries, though Energy Minister Chris Bowen noted the fire came at a difficult time given Middle-East conflict-related pressures. Major laggards included Whitehaven Coal (-5%), Ramelius Resources (-3.4%), Reece (-3.2%), and Yancoal Australia (-2.8%), while the big four banks mostly ended in the red.