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SYDNEY, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Australian shares took a breather on Friday after two days of strong gains with broad-based losses across all sectors as investors took profit ahead of key U.S. jobs data. ID:nL3N1220ES
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO fell 1.18 percent, or 60.14 points, to 5,052 at the close of trade. The benchmark rose 1.8 percent on Thursday and 0.2 percent for the week, after dropping 2.48 percent the previous week.
The index fell for two straight months to September forcing most market strategists to slash their year-end expectations, but a new Reuters poll shows the index is still seen ending 2015 roughly 3 percent above Friday's close. ID:nL4N11O14O
Economists expect U.S. nonfarm payrolls, due later in the global day, to show that employers added 203,000 jobs in September, according to a Reuters poll. ECONUS
New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index .NZ50 rose 0.15 percent or 8.08 points to finish the session at 5,593.51.