Australia, New Zealand shares slide

Australian shares fell sharply for a second consecutive session on Thursday as a mixed jobs report added to worries that the central bank's latest rate cut may not be enough to revive business confidence. The S&P/ASX 200 index dropped 0.8 percent or 46.5 points to 5,645.7 at the close of trade. The benchmark touched a three-month low and was on track for a nearly 3 percent fall this week. If sustained, it would be the second-largest drop this year. New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index also slid 0.6 percent or 35.9 points to finish the session at 5,729.35, having touched its lowest since January.