Australian shares closed the week flat with a negative tilt as traders remained cautious ahead of the US Payrolls report, which could influence the Fed's decision on interest rate cuts.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index was little changed to close at 8511.40.

Analysts expect the report to show 175,000 new US jobs. Markets will accept anywhere between 170,000 to 200,000 added jobs during the month, Bloomberg reported.

A stronger print could eliminate any chances of any rate cuts this year, a weaker report could spark concerns about a slowing labor market, the report said, citing Pallas Capital Advisors' Gaurav Mallik.

On the domestic front, Australians made AU$88.7 billion in retail purchases on locally issued cards in December 2024, up 1.1% on a monthly basis following a 0.9% uptick in November.

In company news, Sigma Healthcare (ASX:SIG) raised its fiscal year normalized earnings before interest and tax guidance to a range of AU$64 million to AU$70 million, up from the previous guidance of AU$50 million to AU$60 million. Shares rose 3% on close.

Nick Scali (ASX:NCK) reported that its earnings per diluted share in the fiscal first half fell to AU$ 0.351, from AU$ 0.531 per diluted share a year earlier. Shares of the company rose 10% at market close.

Lastly, Domino's Pizza Enterprises (ASX:DMP) will close loss-making 205 stores, of which 172 are located in Japan. The store closures will add an estimated annual savings of AU$15.5 million while carrying a one-off cost of AU$97 million. Shares of the company rose 21% at market close.