* Metals and mining index down 3.5 pct
* Energy shares close at 6-month low
* AMP falls nearly 25 pct, biggest loss among Aussie shares (Updates to close)
Oct 25 (Reuters) - Australian shares sank across the board on Thursday to end at a more than one-year low, with metals and mining leading the descent after Wall Street's biggest daily decline since 2011 set the bearish tone. MKTS/GLOB
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO fell for a fifth straight session, closing 2.8 percent down at 5664.1. The benchmark was marginally lower on Wednesday.
The Australian metals and mining index .AXMM fell 3.5 percent to a more than one-month closing low.
The world's biggest miner BHP BHP.AX declined 4 percent to a more than six-month low, while peer Rio Tinto (LON:RIO) RIO.AX fell 4.5 percent.
Iron ore miner Fortescue Metals FMG.AX slumped 5.7 percent after it said quarterly iron ore shipments fell 8.6 percent from a year earlier, on reduced demand from China. shares .AXFJ closed 3 percent lower. Among the "Big Four" banks, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group ANZ.AX led losses, while the largest lender Commonwealth Bank of Australia declined 1.8 percent.
The country's largest wealth manager AMP Ltd AMP.AX plunged nearly 25 percent and was the biggest decliner on the Australian benchmark after it announced the sale of its life insurance arm at a discount. sector has been hit hard this year by revelations of widespread misconduct following an inquiry.
Extending significant losses into a fourth session, the energy sector .AXEJ closed at a six month low.
Oil and gas producers Woodside Petroleum WPL.AX and Santos Ltd STO.AX fell 2 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively.
Bucking the trend, gold shares advanced as safe haven bids for the yellow metal saw prices XAU= climb towards a more than three-month peak. GOL/
Newcrest Mining NCM.AX extended gains and rose 0.7 percent, while Evolution Mining EVN.AX advanced 0.6 percent.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 fell 0.9 percent or 74.01 points to close at 8568.23.
A2 Milk ATM.NZ fell 1.9 percent and medical device maker Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp FPH.NZ lost 1.6 percent.