The Australian share market fell sharply on Thursday as escalating US-Iran tensions weighed heavily on sentiment. Despite broad losses across materials, technology and healthcare, pockets of strength emerged in software and AI infrastructure plays. Gold miners faced particular pressure amid a stronger US dollar. Key US economic data and earnings reports tonight may provide direction ahead.

Steve Daghlian and Laura Besarati are Market Analysts at CommSec. Each episode, they break down the day's market movements and explain what the numbers really mean.

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