Australia: Shares join global retreat on ECB disappointment

[SYDNEY] Australian and New Zealand shares ended lower on Friday in line with a selloff in global markets after the European Central Bank failed to impress with its latest round of policy easing.

The S&P/ASX 200 index closed 76.12 points, or 1.5 per cent, lower at 5,151.60. On the week, it was down 1 per cent, posting a second week of losses.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index shed 30.85 points, or 0.50 per cent, to 6,094.82. It eased 0.10 per cent on the week.

REUTERS