Market Wrap / square week

Positive global sentiment, stemming from the prospect of a resumption of US rate cuts, flowed through to the Australian market to end the week.  The S&P/ASX 200 Index rose 0.7% to 8,864.9 points to finish little changed across the week. Six of the 11 sectors were in the green on Friday, led by financials and the miners. The gold price continues to push towards record highs further boosting the goldies with Regis Resources up 7% and Bellevue Gold up 7.2%. Financials climbed to a one-week high with the "Big Four" banks up more than 1%.  Real estate stocks also enjoyed strong gains as investors looked to favourable interest rates.Ventia Services was among the best performers, rising 5.5% after extending its $100 million contract with the City of Sydney.Energy was the worst performing sector, down 2.36% and tracking weaker global oil prices with Woodside dropping 3.2%. Tonight, US consumer sentiment data is expected to show an improvement ahead of the Federal Reserve interest rate decision next week.