It was another forgettable performance from the local market, wallowing in negative territory throughout Friday’s session. It was a disappointing end to a week that started with so much promise, undermined yet again by a sharp spike in long bond yields overnight. Most sectors finished in the red with healthcare, consumer discretionary, information technology and materials nursing losses of more than 1%. The miners were hit by falls in the base, bulk and precious metals futures in overnight trade, along with signs Chinese policymakers will not roll out aggressive stimulus programs in the year ahead.Energy producers were the exception, benefitting from surprise that OPEC+ will maintain production levels throughout April, wrong-footing investors who were expecting a wee increase. The energy sub-index jumped 4.5% to close Friday out.

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