The ASX 200 finished flat at 8,731 on Friday as gains in technology, industrial services and non-energy minerals offset losses in healthcare, energy and consumer non-durables. Early advances faded after Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Michele Bullock told parliament that inflation remained stubbornly high and upside risks were materializing, leaving further interest-rate increases possible. U.S. stock futures firmed as oil prices and U.S. Treasury yields eased. BHP Group rose 1.4%, while Evolution Mining and Northern Star Resources gained 4.4% and 2.4%, respectively. The big four banks fell between 0.2% and 1.9%, while Xero dropped 4.1% and Bluescope declined 3.1%. The benchmark lost 0.1% for the week, its third consecutive decline, amid caution before Australia’s August labor data due next week, following July’s unexpected rise in unemployment and decline in employment.