The Australian share market has closed weaker, pulled back by resources stocks reeling from fresh falls in commodity prices.
CommSec market analyst Tom Piotrowski said weakness in the local market was concentrated in the mining and energy sectors.
Iron ore fell to its lowest price since tracking began in 2008, easing by 2.6 per cent to $US51.35 per tonne and hitting big miners BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto.
“Iron ore prices are within sight of that $50 mark, so from a psychological perspective that’s doing nothing to encourage people,” he said.
Energy stocks were also more than one per cent weaker, with the price of WTI crude falling 2.2 per cent to $47.60 a barrel.
Mr Piotrowski said the rising US dollar and slowing growth meant the commodities sector would remain lower.
BHP had shed 69 cents, or 2.2 per cent, to $30.34, Rio Tinto was down 81 cents, or 1.4 per cent, at $56.41 and iron ore pure play Fortescue Metals lost 6.5 cents, or 3.3 per cent, to $1.895.
Woodside Petroleum was down 64 cents, or 1.9 per cent, at $33.88 and Santos was 21 cents weaker at $6.93.
Mr Piotrowski said China’s latest monthly manufacturing figures released on Wednesday were also worrying the local bourse.
“That PMI reading fell to 49.6 down from 50, so Chinese authorities are seeing that more needs to be done,” he said.
“The fact that Chinese activity continues to soften is an issue.”
The big banks were all weaker. Commonwealth Bank lost eight cents to $93.32, National Australia Bank was down 12 cents at $38.43, ANZ dumped 19 cents to $36.45 and Westpac was 20 cents weaker at $39.18.
But Telstra was up two cents at $6.33, with telcos and healthcare stocks among the few positive sectors.
Medibank Private added five cents to $2.37.
KEY FACTS
* At the close on Wednesday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was 30.7 points, or 0.52 per cent, weaker at 5,860.8.
* The broader All Ordinaries index was down 29 points, or 0.49 per cent, at 5,832.9.
* The June share price index futures contract was 38 points lower at 5,848, with 27,105 contracts traded.
* National turnover was 1.3 billion securities worth $3.5 billion.
