ASX 200 hits record close as miners offset Coles slide; Australia stocks turn to GDP, RBA
The S&P/ASX 200 closed at a record 9,198.60 on Friday, up 0.25%, capping its strongest February since 2019. Miners gained while financials and consumer staples fell, with Coles down 7.4% after a profit drop. January inflation held at 3.8%, above the Reserve Bank’s target. The Australian dollar ended near $0.7106, up 2% for the month.