* IMF global growth downgrade rattles investors
* Miners slip as iron ore prices pull back from record highs
* No reason to buy stocks in current scenario - analyst (Updates to close)
By Rashmi Ashok
April 10 (Reuters) - Australian shares were stuck in neutral on Wednesday, with risk appetites taking a sharp hit after the IMF downgraded its global growth forecast a third time since October, rattling investors.
The International Monetary Fund said the U.S.-China trade war and a disorderly Brexit were key risks, noting that the global economy is slowing more than expected. downgrade came on the heels of flaring tensions between the United States and Europe, with President Donald Trump threatening to impose tariffs on $11 billion worth of EU products. S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO , largely unmoved for a second session, inched up 0.03 percent or 1.7 points to 6,223.5 at the close.
Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone brokerage, said there were no reasons for buying stocks at present and "no catalyst across all geographies".
Instead, he said, there are "probably three or four very big reasons to take profit off the top after a strong run".
Mining stocks .AXGD ran out of steam as China's iron ore futures pulled back from a record high and some investors booked large profits following the sector's recent rally.
Benchmark heavyweight BHP Group BHP.AX slipped 0.4 percent and Fortescue Metals Group FMG.AX fell 0.2 percent.
Blunting the losses among miners, gold stocks .AXGD advanced as gold prices hovered near a two-week peak, with investors rushing to the safe-haven metal amid rising uncertainty.
Top miner Newcrest Mining NCM.AX rose 1.5 percent, while Northern Star Resources NST.AX and Saracen Mineral Holdings SAR.AX also climbed.
Financial stocks .AXFJ rose 0.3 percent, after four losing sessions, with biggest lender Commonwealth Bank of Australia CBA.AX firming 0.7 percent and fund manager IOOF Holdings IFL.AX up 1.9 percent.
"It is a bit of rotation out of material stocks, with money coming into the financial space... we have seen a stronger Westpac consumer confidence number, which is somewhat positive for the banks," said Weston.
A survey showed the Melbourne Institute and Westpac Bank index of consumer sentiment rose 1.9 percent in April, bouncing modestly from one-year lows. Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 fell 0.81 percent or 79.34 points to finish the session at 9,707.96.
Index heavyweight a2 Milk Company ATM.NZ shed 0.7 percent.