The ASX200 closed up about 0.7%, marking three consecutive days of gains and a weekly rise of roughly 2.2% after last week’s 2.5% slump. Hotter‑than‑expected inflation (headline 3.8%, core 3.3%) pushed RBA rate‑cut odds down to 24% for May. Materials, health and consumer stocks led the upswing while tech, telcos and utilities fell. Zip jumped 7% and DroneShield 8% after a European defence contract; Temple & Webster slumped 33% on a weak trading update. Looking ahead, US inflation, jobless claims and durable‑goods data, plus the RBNZ, UK budget and Beige Book, will shape market sentiment.

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