Australia: Shares finish week at 8-month low as China worries deepen

[SYDNEY] Australian shares skidded to an eight-month low as investors sold off after a weak industry survey from China, which heightened concerns about Australia's biggest trading partner.

The S&P/ASX 200 index dropped 74.0 points or 1.4 per cent to 5,214.6 at the close of trade. The benchmark lost nearly 3 per cent in the week.

New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index added 8.7 points or 0.2 per cent to finish the session at 5751.2, up 1 per cent for the week.

REUTERS