Amid geopolitical tension and uncertainty this week, gold stocks were one of the segments standing tall, offsetting weakness from the tech sector. Meanwhile, with a number of blue-chip heavyweights in the spotlight, some shone and some disappointed, ensuring a volatile week of trade for the ASX.

Which shares excelled?

A strong earnings report was instrumental to the standout gains from global metals and electronics recycling business Sims (ASX: SGM). Its half-year results showed a significant improvement compared with a year ago in terms of revenue, up nearly 74%, operating cash flow, up almost 95%, and underlying net profit, which soared more than 600%. The company has been able to capitalise upon higher material prices, pushing through higher volumes without compromising on margins.With the threat of conflict brewing between Russia and Ukraine, gold prices rallied this week as investors flocked to the safe-haven' commodity. Gold advanced more than 2% at one stage, circling US$1,900 an ounce. This provided a tailwind for ASX-listed gold producers, which were among the best-performers. Winners included Bellevue Gold (ASX: BGL), Silver Lake Resources (ASX: SLR), Evolution Mining (ASX: EVN) and Northern Star Resources (ASX: NST).Having the biggest impact on the ASX this week, biotech giant CSL (ASX: CSL) had a stellar week, putting its recent share price slump in the rear view mirror. Key to this move was the company half-year results. While net profit of US$1.7 billion was down on last year, management cited it expects the company plasma collections to turnaround following a number of initiatives put in place. Elsewhere, CSL influenza vaccine division had a bumper half, ensuring group revenue lifted.Wine-maker Treasury Wine Estates (ASX: TWE) has brushed aside concerns around the fall-out of its near-exodus from the Chinese market, with its HY22 results setting the scene for a rally this week. Although revenue and net profit were both markedly lower than a year ago, TWE is seeing strong growth in regions ex-China, and its shift towards premiumisation' has led margins to increase 80 basis points.Another stock inspired by earnings season was NRW Holdings (ASX: NWH), with the construction and mining contractor delivering $1.16 billion in revenue, and operating earnings before interest and taxes of $74.6 million, which was at the upper-range of its guidance and 26% higher than the prior corresponding period. The company was also able to reduce its debt by more than $130 million, and lifted its interim dividend by 37%, delighting shareholders.Surprising to the upside this week was Magellan (ASX: MFG), which not only beat profit expectations after a tumultuous period, but went on to announce a higher dividend for shareholders. Profits rose 24% versus a year ago, and the fund manager is looking at the possibility of conducting an on-market share buyback.Reporting season has also been friendly to a host of other names that recently announced earnings to the market, including Orora (ASX: ORA), Bendigo & Adelaide Bank (ASX: BEN), SG Fleet Group (ASX: SGF) and JB Hi-Fi (ASX: JBH).

Which shares dragged on the market?

Among the hardest hit stocks this week was Novonix (ASX: NVX), with the battery metals tech firm at one stage more than 18% lower before paring some of those losses. Since the start of December, the company has shed more than half of its market cap as investors grow more cautious about growth stocks in the face of a rising interest rate environment.That same caution was something that also weighed on community favourite, Brainchip (ASX: BRN), with the stock entering Friday trading session about 12% lower than a week ago. The Nasdaq index has proven to still be a little shaky, which may be weighing on local tech sentiment, as no other price-sensitive news emerged from the AI chip manufacturer this week.Shares in wealth management platform Hub24 (ASX: HUB) bounced to their lowest level since May last year. With the company announcing the completion of its acquisition of Class, some investors may have reassessed their outlook of the business based on news from peer Netwealth (ASX: NWL). In the case of Netwealth, its share price plummeted lower despite mid-year results showing record operating income and a higher dividend. However, a major leap in operating expenses, mainly employee benefits amid a higher headcount, weighed on the result and spooked shareholders.Iron ore major Fortescue Metals Group (ASX: FMG) took a backwards step this week after its half-year report fell short of investors' expectations. It was forced to slash its lofty dividend in the wake of a 32% drop in interim profit, as a weaker iron ore price weighed on the miner.  In addition, reports also surfaced throughout the week that the company is in the midst of seeing a number of high-profile executives and amanagers depart the business.Shares in Zip (ASX: Z1P) hit a yearly low this week, with the stock now down more than 80% from its highs almost a year ago to the day. The BNPL sector has faced a crunch as central banks prepare to raise interest rates, competition heats up, regulatory concerns mount, and growth stocks fall out of favour.Last but not least, QBE (ASX: QBE) slumped on news of pricing pressure and lower dividends in its results today, the pull-back in iron ore prices weighed on Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN), while some of the other battery metals names had a breather this week, including Pilbara Minerals (ASX: PLS), AVZ Minerals (ASX: AVZ), Australian Strategic Materials (ASX: ASM), and Ioneer (ASX: INR).

We'll be back next week with another Weekly ASX Trading Wrap Up - until then, have a great week!