🧐 ProPicks AI October update is out now! See which stocks made the listPick Stocks with AI

Australia shares tumble on Wall Street slide; NZ ends at 3-week low

Published 05/02/2018, 05:08 pm
Updated 05/02/2018, 05:10 pm
© Reuters.  Australia shares tumble on Wall Street slide; NZ ends at 3-week low
AXJO
-
BHP
-
RIO
-
BHPB
-
RIO
-
RSG
-
HG
-
AXGD
-

* Financial and material stocks weigh on Australian index

* NZ sheds more than 2 pct (Updates to close)

Feb 5 (Reuters) - Australian shares fell back on Monday, dragged down by financial and materials stocks and tracking Wall Street which tumbled on fears of resurgent inflation stoked by a strong jobs report.

The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO slid 1.6 percent, or 95.2 points to 6026.2 at the close of trade. The benchmark rose 0.5 percent on Friday.

Financial stocks slipped 1.3 percent, with the 'Big Four' banks all losing over 1 percent each.

Miners fell 2.5 percent to their lowest close since December 29 with gold and copper prices slipping as the U.S. dollar strengthened on unexpectedly strong employment data. GOL/ MET/L

U.S. job growth surged in January and wages recorded their largest annual gain in more than 8-1/2 years, bolstering expectations that inflation will push higher this year as the U.S. economy reaches full employment. heavyweights BHP Billiton (LON:BLT) Ltd BHP.AX and Rio Tinto (LON:RIO) Ltd RIO.AX both shed over 2 percent to close at a five-week low.

The Australian gold index .AXGD lost 2.6 percent, its lowest in more than three weeks.

The biggest drag on the main index was Resolute Mining Ltd RSG.AX , slumping 9.5 percent to hit a nearly 7-week closing low.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 fell 2.1 percent, or 173.46 points, to a three-week closing low of 8241.83.

Healthcare, utility and consumer staple stocks weighed the index down, with Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd FPH.NZ slipping 3.5 percent to its lowest close since November 24, and Contact Energy Ltd CEN.NZ losing 2 percent.

The top loser on the main index, however, was Kathmandu Holdings KMD.NZ , down 3.8 percent, closing at its lowest in more than two weeks.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.