Australia: Shares finish week lower as commodities, banks lose ground

[SYDNEY] Australian shares gave up early gains and finished slightly lower on Friday as declines in the prices of oil and iron ore dragged down resources, while weaker bank stocks also pressured the market.

The S&P/ASX 200 index closed down 8.1 points or 0.2 per cent at 5,202.6. The benchmark fell 1 per nt for the week.

New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index added 0.2 per cent or 13.1 points to finish the session at 6,101.0, up 1.5 per cent for the week.

REUTERS