The material and financial sectors dragged Australian shares lower on Tuesday as commodity prices weakened and a government-backed inquiry into bank misconduct began its first round of public hearings. The broader market ended the day lower tracking a weak close overnight on Wall Street while investors awaited US inflation data, which could provide clues on the likely pace of Federal Reserve rate hikes.
The S&P/ASX 200 index lost 0.4 percent, falling 21.40 points, to 5,974.70 at the close of trade. The benchmark rose 0.6 percent on Monday. Weak metal and oil prices pushed material stocks lower with the Aussie mining index finishing the day 1.3 percent down. BHP Billiton, the largest miner on the index by market capitalisation, fell 0.8 percent while rival Rio Tinto dropped nearly 2 percent. Australia's "Big Four" banks closed between 0.2 percent and 0.4 percent lower. In New Zealand, stocks edged up and finished the day higher for a fourth consecutive session. New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index closed up 0.1 percent or 9.15 points to finish the session at 8,473.14.
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