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SYDNEY, Feb 3 (Reuters) - Australian shares fell the most in four months on Wednesday, joining a global retreat as sliding oil prices took a heavy toll on energy firms and fuelled worries about the health of the world economy. S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO dropped 116.5 points, or 2.3 percent, to 4,876.8, its lowest finish since Jan. 21. It was the benchmark's biggest percentage drop since Sept 29, and it is down nearly 8 percent so far this year.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 fell 46.7 points, or 0.8 percent, to finish the session at 6,133.4.