Company Interview / the COB: Bullock doubles down

The Australian share market followed its global peers higher on Friday, with investors buoyed by firm US economic data and solid corporate results. The S&P/ASX200 climbed above its 20-day moving average, rising 1.34% to 7971.10 to be 2.49% higher for the week. All sectors finished the session positively, led by the big miners and energy stocks, which benefited from rising oil prices amid heightened geopolitical tensions.The financials performed strongly with CBA shares up 2.4% and NAB rising 1.5% after reporting a third-quarter profit that met market expectations. GQG Partners reported a surge in funds under management in the first half, but its share fell 2.8%. Zip was the best performer, rising 13.5%, after announcing a partnership with US payment technology firm Stripe. Online property portal Domain slumped 2.6% even after revealing a 28% boost to profit. Those property owners with a mortgage have had their hopes dashed by Reserve Bank Governor, Michelle Bullock, who told parliamentarians that it's premature to be thinking about rate cuts.  Stock exchange operator ASX gained 0.1% after posting record operating revenue. And consumer packaging giant Amcor lost 2.8%, despite flagging an upturn in demand.  Next week, investors will be focused on the Fed's Jackson Hole Symposium for clues on the future direction of its monetary policy.