Thanks afternoon crew.
End-of-day wrap:
The share market fell for a third day as a swag of companies traded ex-dividend and China reported a contraction in trade.
The ASX 200 crumbled 86 points or 1.19% to 7171. All 11 sectors declined, led by materials as shares in index heavyweight BHP traded without the right to its next dividend payout. The Big Australian dropped 5.18%.
China reported an 8.8% year-on-year decline in exports last month and a 7.3% contraction in imports. While both figures were slightly better than expected, they continue a run of weak economic signals from the world's second-largest economy. Iron ore fell 2.2% on the Dalian Commodity Exchange this afternoon.
US futures retreated with Asian markets. S&P 500 futures gave up 0.23% by the Australian market close.
