Australian shares were subdued in early Friday trade, hovering near 8,750 after prior losses following a mixed session on Wall Street overnight. Gains in non-energy minerals and process industries helped counter losses in healthcare and commercial services. Traders braced for the Reserve Bank’s June meeting minutes due next week, after its recent pause in the wake of three rate hikes earlier this year. Inflation stayed in focus, with headline CPI easing in May, though core inflation accelerated. Genesis Minerals rose 2.9%, along with Ramelius Resources (2.3%) and Bluescope Steel (1.6%). On the downside, CSL Ltd. and Aristocrat Leisure each fell 2.3% and 1.9%, respectively. Also, three of the four big banks lost between 0.2% and 0.5%. For the week, the market is on track for its first fall in three, down about 0.8% so far, amid caution that the central bank may stay hawkish after strong May employment. Nerves also grew ahead of PMI figures from China, Australia’s top trading partner.