Shares fall again to finish week down 1.7 pct

The Australian market has recorded its third week of losses in the past four weeks. (James Gourley/AAP PHOTOS)

The Australian sharemarket has finished modestly lower, losing ground for a third day out of the past four sessions - and for a third week out of the four weeks.

The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index on Friday finished 25.4 points, or 0.33 per cent, lower at 7,724.3, giving back the bulk of Thursday's gains.