The ASX 200 dropped 1.51% to 8,744.4 points on Friday, erasing nearly A$50 billion from Australian equities ahead of a week packed with budget, wage, and confidence data. The Reserve Bank of Australia raised the cash rate to 4.35% on May 5, citing inflation pressures from higher fuel prices. Treasurer Jim Chalmers will deliver the federal budget Tuesday night, with A$2 billion earmarked for new housing supply.