The share market is almost two per cent lower as weak economic data from China adds to global growth concerns.
Already down more than one per cent due to heavy falls on US and European markets overnight, the local market fell further just before noon.
That was caused by a key measure of Chinese manufacturing activity coming in at a new six-and-a-half-year low in September, and indicating the sector is contracting.
All sectors were lower, with the big four banks all down more than 1.7 per cent and mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton down more than 2.5 per cent.
KEY FACTS
* At 1216 AEST on Wednesday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 90.3 points, or 1.77 per cent, at 5,013.3 points.
* The broader All Ordinaries index was down 84.4 points, or 1.64 per cent, at 5,046.4 points.
* The December share price index futures contract was down 98 points at 4,999 points, with 22,131 contracts traded.
* National turnover was 773 million securities worth $2.1 billion.
