(Corrects company RIC for Rio Tinto (LON:RIO) in 8th paragraph)
* Westpac falls 5.4 percent, trades ex-dividend
* Technology stocks decline in line with Wall Street
* Financial and healthcare stocks drag NZ
By Shriya Ramakrishnan
Nov 13 (Reuters) - Australian shares tumbled on Tuesday, as banks and commodity stocks bore the brunt of a sell-off after a slide on Wall Street sapped global risk sentiment.
Most equity markets in Asia recouped some of their losses on media reports China's top trade negotiator was preparing to visit the United States as investors watched for signs of a de-escalation in their trade war. MKTS/GLOB
But selling in Australia failed to ease off, with the S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO closing down 1.8 percent or 5,834.20 points at its lowest in a week.
The benchmark rose 0.3 percent on Monday, though the broader market has lost ground this year on worries about slowing global growth, lower profits and a weakening Chinese economy - Australia's biggest trading partner.
Financial stocks .AXFJ accounted for most of the index's fall and lost 2.2 percent, with sector heavyweight Westpac Banking Corp WBC.AX giving up 5.4 percent, as it traded ex-dividend.
Fellow "big four" banks retreated between 1.2 percent and 1.5 percent.
Downbeat metals and mining stocks .AXMM also dragged the market to close nearly 2 percent lower, hurt by softer iron ore prices. IRONORE/
The world's biggest miner BHP Billiton (LON:BLT) BHP.AX declined 1.7 percent, while rival Rio Tinto RIO.AX fell 2.5 percent.
Energy stocks .AXEJ fell nearly 2 percent, reversing course after Monday's gains, as oil prices fell after U.S. President Donald Trump called on the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) not to cut supply. O/R
Healthcare stocks .AXHJ also reversed course to close lower at 2.6 percent, after four straight sessions of gains.
Hearing device maker Cochlear Ltd COH.AX fell 4.2 percent. The company announced plans of investing up to A$21 million ($15.14 million)in Israeli-Belgium co Nyxoah S.A, which specilaizes in providing treatment for sleep disorder.
Technology stocks .AXIJ , declined 2.6 percent, in line with their peers on Wall Street. Wisetech Global WTC.AX and Computershare Ltd CPU.AX shed more than 3 percent each.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 fell nearly 1 percent to finish the session at 8,861.52.
Westpac's WBC.NZ New Zealand shares led losses, down 5.5 percent. Ryman Healthcare Ltd RYM.NZ fell 4.4 percent.
($1 = 1.3870 Australian dollars)