Softening support for the major banks, disappointing retail sales figures and Chinese economic data have helped the Australian share market to close lower.

Heavy losses from the mining related materials sector due to China's central bank's surprising interest rate hike have pulled the ASX into the red.

Investors continue to retreat in the wake of US President Donald Trump's immigration policy, and company news has disappointed.

The Australian share market is back where it started at the beginning of the year as Donald Trump's travel ban rattles investors.

The Australian share market has closed higher as strong gains from the banks and the major supermarkets make up for steep falls by gold miners.

Strength in mining stocks and a bounce in financial companies have helped lift the Australian share market.