Half-time wrap:
Aussie shares thudded to their lowest level in almost a year as a global rout fuelled by interest rate fears and tensions in the Middle East continued.
The ASX 200 sank 53 points or 0.77% to 6847 by the halfway mark. This morning's low of 6835 was last seen on November 4 last year.
Resource stocks accounted for much of the weakness following Friday declines in crude, iron ore, lithium carbonate and copper. The energy sector lost 2.2%. Materials gave up 2.04%. Defensive healthcare and consumer staples were the only sectors to resist the rout.
Asian markets took their cues this morning from Wall Street's worst week in a month. The Asia Dow shed 0.25%, Japan's Nikkei 225 index 0.49% and China's Shanghai Composite index 0.56%. On Friday, the S&P 500 dropped 1.26%.
Personal trading: Not a lot of movement in the pools where I usually fish. Market seems a bit stunned by recent setbacks.
