Australian shares ended marginally lower on Thursday, dragged down by losses in mining and energy shares as worries about growth in the United States and China depressed commodity prices. However, the market outperformed the Asian region for the second straight session, supported by a weaker Australian dollar, which has boosted the outlook for company earnings.
"Our market has held up well today considering the weakness which has plagued international markets over the past 24 hours," said Ben Taylor, a sales trader at CMC Markets. The S&P/ASX 200 index ended 0.1 percent, or 5.6 points, lower at 4,337.9, according to the latest available data. It has gained 7 percent so far this year. The index rose 1 percent on Wednesday to its strongest finish since November 9. New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index was up 9 points at 3,495.4.
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