Australia: Shares hit 3-week low as oil, metals drag down resources

[SYDNEY] Australian shares hit a three-week trough on Tuesday as tumbling oil and base metals prices dragged resource stocks sharply lower.

The S&P/ASX 200 index closed down 47.1 points or 0.9 per cent at 5,108.6, its lowest since Nov 17. The benchmark is down 5.6 per cent this year.

New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index fell 29.4 points or 0.5 per cent to finish the session at 6,035.0.

REUTERS