Australian shares closed 0.4 percent lower on Wednesday, clawing back losses on hopes the US Federal Reserve will stick to its stimulus policy. Both BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto fell to nearly four-month low, after Goldman Sachs cut its price targets on the stocks due to concerns about oversupply in iron ore markets. BHP, Rio and Fortescue Metals Group warned on Tuesday of volatile markets and softer prices as growth in China's steel production slows and more supply comes through.
"I do believe that there are some slow down risks in China again, as stimulus drops out and inflation becomes a problem," said Credit Suisse equity strategist Damien Boey, noting negative sentiment was weighing on mining stocks. BHP dropped 2.7 percent and Rio slid 2.0 percent. Fortescue, the world's fourth biggest iron ore miner, lost 2.3 percent.
The S&P/ASX 200 index lost 20.1 points to close at 4,967.3, according to the latest data, its lowest since February 12. The benchmark had lost 0.6 percent on Tuesday. The market dropped as much as 0.9 percent in the session, but pared some losses in the afternoon session with investors buying on dips while digesting the impact of the Cyprus crisis. New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index ended up 0.1 percent at 4,349.4.
Banks recovered from deeper losses seen earlier, and ended mixed. Westpac Banking Corp added 0.3 percent, while the country's biggest lender Commonwealth Bank of Australia closed almost flat. Consumer staples gained their ground as funds fled risky assets. Supermarket chain Woolworths Ltd gained 0.4 percent, and Coles-owner Wesfarmers Ltd was flat.
Australia's biggest phone company Telstra Corp Ltd rose 0.9 percent. Australia's No 2 department store David Jones rose 4.1 percent to a nearly four-month high, after it posted a 13.5 percent fall in first-half earnings and said it was making good progress with its turnaround strategy. Gold miner Focus Minerals surged 15 percent as the precious metal stayed strong on lingering uncertainty surrounding Europe's financial stability.
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