Australia, NZ: Shares close lower ahead of ECB meeting
Add BT as a preferred source
[BENGALURU] Australian shares ended lower on Thursday, as investors tread with caution ahead of a European Central Bank meeting later in the day.
The ECB is expected to respond to pressure for further easing by announcing an extension to its asset purchase programme by year-end, a Reuters poll showed.
The S&P/ASX 200 index closed 0.7 per cent, or 38.45 points, lower at 5,385.80 at the end of trade. The benchmark rose marginally on Wednesday.
Dragging down the benchmark were by basic material and financials stocks.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index lost 0.5 per cent, or 36.38 points, to finish the session at 7,534.73.
REUTERS
Share with us your feedback on BT's products and services
TRENDING NOW
Yeo’s, Tiger Beer and now Gardenia – flight of food manufacturing from Singapore might be just as planned
Shanda co-founder sells Tanglin Hill bungalow for S$76 million
Nearly half of Apac’s wealthy expect market crash or correction, plan to rotate to cash: study
Jumbo Seafood to close flagship East Coast Seafood Centre outlet on Sep 30
