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Feb 18 (Reuters) - Australian shares closed lower on Tuesday, led by losses among energy and tech stocks, due to worries over the impact of the coronavirus epidemic on China's economy and its global supply chains.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO ended 0.2% lower at 7,113.7. It marks a second session of losses and a soft start to the week as corporate results stream in.
Apple Inc's AAPL.O warning that it will not meet its revenue forecast in the March quarter highlighted the widening impact of the coronavirus and dragged the market lower. technology index .AXIJ dropped 1.2%, led by losses from U.S-based Altium Ltd ALU.AX which had flagged weak outlook partly due to the virus epidemic. It closed down nearly 8%.
Cochlear warned that demand for hearing implants may struggle to catch-up in China if the epidemic does not subside soon and continues to delay surgeries. hearing implant maker's shares were down 3.4% as it also reported a flat underlying profit.
Woodside Petroleum WPL.AX led the losses among energy stocks as oil prices declined due to demand worries put forth by the fears of the spreading virus. O/R
Citigroup (NYSE:C), writing on the likelihood of further interest rate cuts, said the central bank has set a higher hurdle for further rate cuts, "but we believe the bank will need to cut again if its optimistic growth forecasts don't materialise."
The U.S. bank sees a 25 basis point cut in May, and said the coronavirus could test the Reserve Bank of Australia's resolve.
BHP Group BHP.AX closed 0.8% higher after it reported its best profit in five years, though slightly off estimates. Rival Rio Tinto (LON:RIO) RIO.AX also closed higher.
Rio had lowered its iron ore shipment forecast late on Monday due to a tropical cyclone that hit Australia's west coast. No.2 grocer Coles Group COL.AX acknowledged that it underpaid some store managers for six years, crimping its half-year profit. Its shares closed 1% lower.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 rose 0.5% to 11,935.84.
A 2.5% gain by Synlait Milk SML.NZ and advances by Fonterra FSF.NZ FCG.NZ helped prop up the index.