The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 ended 0.5 points, or 0.01 percent, down at 4,140.8, having been nearly two percent off in early trade.

The bounce came after unemployment data showed the jobless rate unexpectedly rose in July to 5.1 percent, adding to weak consumer confidence and retail numbers to increase the likelihood of an interest rate cut.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011