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Oct 5 (Reuters) - Australian shares fell on Wednesday, with mining stocks hurt by declines in commodity prices.
Investor confidence also was bruised by a report that the European Central Bank was withdrawing its bond buying program, though an ECB media officer denied there was any such plan under discussion. S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO skidded 31.1 points or 0.57 percent to 5,452.9 at the close of trade.
Global markets were also subdued on concerns of an interest rate hike by the U.S. Federal Reserve in December, with investors taking to the sidelines, awaiting further cues.
The materials sector underperformed other sectors in the region, with Newcrest Mining NCM.AX slipping to four month lows, tracking a three percent slump in gold prices.
The gold index .AXGD fell as much as 7.5 percent to a three-month low.
Syrah Resources SYR.AX was the biggest percentage loser on the benchmark, shedding 26 percent on what was its worst trading day in more than 5 years.
Meanwhile, New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 lost 1.1 percent or 81.3 points to finish the session at 7,271.16, battered by losses in industrial and utility shares.
Poultry farmer Tegel Group Holdings TGH.AX fell 6.3 percent to post its worst intraday performance ever, while infrastructure company Infratil Ltd IFT.NZ plunged to a three-month low.
Infratil on Wednesday announced that it would invest around $100 million in U.S. renewable energy firm Longroad Energy Holdings.