-- Australian shares ended lower on Friday as oil prices rose amid clashes between US and Iranian forces.
The S&P/ASX 200 Index fell 1.51%, or 133.70 points, to close at 8,744.40.
Brent crude oil futures rose over 1% to trade around $101 per barrel. US President Donald Trump said that the ceasefire between Iran and the US was still in effect despite the clashes, while Iran said the situation had returned to normal, according to a Reuters report.
In company news, Macquarie Group (ASX:MQG) reported Friday fiscal year earnings of AU$12.669 per share, up from AU$9.755 a year earlier. Revenue from ordinary activities for the 12 months ended March 31 was AU$19.48 billion, compared with AU$17.21 billion a year earlier. Its shares fell 1% on market close.
News Corp (ASX:NWS) reported fiscal third-quarter adjusted earnings of $0.21 per share, up from $0.17 a year earlier. Revenue for the quarter ended March 31 was $2.19 billion, up from $2.01 billion a year ago. Its shares closed down 8%, earlier reaching a two-year low point. Its shares closed up 3%.
Lastly, QBE Insurance Group (ASX:QBE) reported first-quarter gross written premiums of $9.2 billion, up 11% from $8.3 billion a year earlier. The company maintained its full-year guidance for gross written premium growth in the mid-single digits and a combined operating ratio of nearly 93%. Its shares fell 1% on market close.