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Australian shares cautious as investors await c.bank decision, U.S. election

Published 02/11/2020, 11:58 am
Updated 02/11/2020, 12:00 pm
© Reuters.
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* Australia, NZ shares poised to fall for a third straight day

* Westpac's FY profit slumps 62%, resinstates dividend

* RBA expected to cut key rates to historic low of 0.1%

By Pranav A K

Nov 2 (Reuters) - Australian shares got off to a cautious start on Monday as investors avoided big bets ahead of a central bank rate decision and the U.S. presidential election, with financials dropping after weaker results from the country's second-largest lender.

The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO fell 0.1% to 5,922.8 by 0015 GMT, recouping some losses after dropping to a near one-month low in the session. The benchmark index is on track for a third straight session of losses.

Investors were on the sidelines awaiting the Australian central bank's decision on Tuesday, where it is expected to cut key rates, with the threat of a contested election result in Washington adding to the caution. worst case scenario for markets is a long period of electoral uncertainty, either through a close contest or a disputed result... The most immediate concern for markets is that political paralysis will delay or diminish a fiscal response to the deteriorating coronavirus situation," Michael McCarthy, chief market strategist at CMC Markets said in a note.

Financial shares .AXFJ , the benchmark's largest component, slipped 0.4% after the country's second-largest lender Westpac Banking Corp WBC.AX revealed a 62% plunge in full-year cash profit, sending its shares nearly 2% lower. wealth manager AMP Ltd AMP.AX jumped 8.8% after it said the proposed takeover offer from Ares Management ARES.N had an implied value of A$1.85 a share, a 21% premium to Friday's closing price. shares .AXIJ and energy stocks .AXEJ fell 0.9% and 0.5%, respectively.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 dropped half a percent to 12,024.7 and was also trading lower for a third consecutive day.

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