investors fear further stock market falls

AUSTRALIAN investors were yesterday liquidating large positions rather than hanging on to risky shares over the weekend.

And there's no end in sight to the volatility in asset markets.

A 5 per cent rebound on Wall Street prompted by a better than expected US inflation result and an oil price retreat could not be maintained in domestic trading.

The Australian market rounded out the week on a sour note, down 1 per cent for the day after opening strongly higher.

The finish meant the Australian was just 10 points higher than the low point hit last Friday, despite two strong trading days earlier in the week.

The domestic bourse was up by at least 160 points in early trade yesterday, with strong buying of banks and resources, but the positive run weakened in the afternoon.