By Devika Syamnath
Oct 18 (Reuters) - Australian shares dropped on Friday as a weaker U.S. dollar dented blue-chip healthcare firms that have offshore operations, while fears of a slide into recession continued to dog sentiment amid scepticism over the Brexit deal and Sino-U.S. talks.
Meanwhile, economic growth in China, Australia's biggest trade partner, slowed more than expected to 6.0% year-on-year in the third quarter, the weakest pace in at least 27-1/2 years, as demand at home and abroad faltered amid a bruising Sino-U.S. trade war. globally were cautiously watching out for progress on "phase one" trade deal between Washington and Beijing and if a Brexit deal would get its support in the British parliament.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO was down 0.6%, or 38.3 points, at 6,646.4, as of 0119 GMT.
However, the index was poised for a weekly gain of 0.9%.
"The Australian equity market will probably trade sideways today, with a bit of an eye out on the China data out this morning ... there will certainly be concerns about Brexit, trade issues and macroeconomic headwinds as well," said Damian Rooney, director of equity sales at Argonaut.
"The Aussie dollar going up is also taking a hit on the currency plays such as healthcare," said Mathan Somasundaram, market portfolio strategist at Blue Ocean Equities.
The U.S. dollar fell sharply against the euro and sterling on Thursday as European Union leaders unanimously backed a long-awaited Brexit deal to take Britain out of Europe on Oct. 31. USD/
Heavyweight healthcare stocks .AXHJ such as CSL Ltd CSL.AX and Cochlear COH.AX fell as much as 1.1% and 0.8%, respectively. These firms make a large chunk of their revenue from the United States.
Falling for a second straight session, the banking sector .AXFJ dropped 0.5% to lead losses in Australia's main index. The "Big Four" banks shed between 0.7% and 1.1%.
Wealth manager IOOF Holdings IFL.AX marked its highest in a year, advancing as much as 6%, after the sale price it had to pay for Australia and New Zealand Banking's ANZ.AX pension assets was shaved off by 13% on Thursday. further windfall for IOOF, the banking regulator on Friday stood down from appealing a Federal Court decision to dismiss its regulatory action against the wealth manager. and gas producers Woodside Petroleum WPL.AX and Santos Ltd STO.AX both retreated up to 1.5%, a day after strong results had propelled their shares.
The New Zealand benchmark .NZ50 declined 0.3%, or 26.11 points, to 11,115.75. Specialist outdoor retailer Kathmandu Holdings Ltd KMD.NZ was the top loser, dropping as much as 2.2%.