Half-time wrap:
The share market was on course for its lowest close since mid-September after a mixed finish on Wall Street did little to settle investor nerves after Wednesday's night's bloodbath.
The ASX 200 dropped 99 points or 1.12% to 8068 by mid-session. The Australian stock benchmark has not closed below 8100 since September 12.
Wesfarmers and the big banks led a retreat that dragged down every sector except tech, utilities and energy. Commonwealth Bank, Wesfarmers and NAB all lost at least 2.2%. Fortescue and Woodside were the best of the heavyweights resisting the sell-off.
Wall Street steadied overnight, but struggled to retain early gains after upbeat economic data bolstered the cause for a lengthy rates pause. The Dow clung on to a gain of 0.04%. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq faded to losses of roughly 0.1%.
Personal trading: Missed the starter's gun while taking wife to a medical appointment. Not sure I missed much? Noodled a few coins from the tight range in MSB and a fairly lucky in-out in NVQ. Took CU6 back at intraday support. Also took AXE before a blocking sale landed in the queue. Grrrr. Hope it's there for accumulation purposes and disappears before the close.
