Feb 17 (Reuters) - Australian shares fell on Friday amid...

Feb 17 (Reuters) - Australian shares fell on Friday amid broad-based losses as sentiment remained dampened after U.S. economic data confirmed the case for more rate hikes by the Federal Reserve.

The S&P/ASX 200 index (xjo) fell 0.3% to 7,385.70 points by 2346 GMT, after climbing 0.8% on Thursday. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan's Nikkei .N225 was up 0.7% and S&P 500 E-minis futures EScv1 were down 0.3%.

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, while another set of U.S. data showed highest rise in producer prices in seven months in January, indicating a stubborn inflation.

Back in Australia, the governor of the country's central bank said more rate hikes would be needed in the months ahead to ensure inflation returns to the target range.

Domestic technology stocks .AXIJ slumped 2.3%, leading the fall on the benchmark and falling in-line with their overseas peers. Sector majors Block Inc (SQ2) and Xero Ltd (XRO) shed 6.8% and 4.3%, respectively.

Financials .AXFJ slipped 0.2%, with all "Big Four" posting a decline.

Westpac (WBC) fell 0.2%. The bank said on Friday its common equity Tier-1 ratio in the first quarter fell sequentially as it increased provisions for bad debts.

Energy stocks .AXEJ dropped 1.2% as oil prices settled slightly lower on Thursday, with heavyweights Woodside Energy Group (WDS) and Santos (STO) declining 1.1% and 1.3%, respectively.

Miners .AXMM too fell 0.2%, after initially gaining in the early trades.

Sector giants BHP Group (BHP) , Rio Tinto (RIO) and Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) , however, climbed between 1% and 1.3%.

In New Zealand, the benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index (nz50) rose 0.3% to 12,125.15.