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Australia, NZ shares tumble on fears of virus resurgence as economies reopen

Published 13/05/2020, 11:23 am
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* ASX benchmark at over one-week low

* CBA falls after posting 25% slump in qtrly profit

* NZ cash rate decision due later in the day

By Nikhil Subba

May 13 (Reuters) - Australian shares extended losses for a second session on Wednesday as investors feared the decision to reopen businesses from the lockdown would lead to a second wave of coronavirus outbreaks and set back economic recovery.

The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO was down 1.27% at 5,334.3 points, as of 0057 GMT. The benchmark settled 1.07% lower on Tuesday.

Leading U.S. infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci warned that the virus was not yet under control and that there would not likely be a treatment or vaccine in place by late August or early September. also maintained a cautious stance ahead of Australia's first-quarter wage growth data, while New Zealand's cash rate decision is due later in the day.

Leading the fall on the Australian benchmark, energy stocks .AXEJ shed over 3% to hit its lowest since May 5, despite a rise in oil prices.

Santos STO.AX fell as much as 3.$%, while Oil Search OSH.AX dropped nearly 3%.

Healthcare stocks .AXHJ slid as much as 2.3%, hitting a low of more than two weeks. Heavyweight drugmaker CSL Ltd CSL.AX fell up to 2.5%, while medical services provider Healius HLS.AX tumbled 4.5% to a three-week low.

Financials .AXFJ shed about 2% to mark its lowest since May 4, with all the "Big Four" trading in negative territory.

Shares of top lender Commonwealth Australia Bank CBA.AX weakened 1.5% after the lender reported a 25% slump in quarterly profit and announced more provisions to cover credit losses arising from the COVID-19 crisis. turmoil relating to worries of another wave of coronavirus, drove investors scurrying over to safe-haven assets. Gold stocks .AXGD bucked the trend to rise as much as 0.5%, helped by Alacer Gold AQG.WX that climbed nearly 8%, and Oceanagold 's OGC.AX 3% gain.

Meanwhile, New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 dropped nearly 1.2% to 10,692.09.

The top percentage losers on the .NZ50 were Skycity Entertainment Group SKC.NZ and Fletcher Building Ltd FBU.NZ with each dropping about 4%.

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