Australian shares end over 1pc lower after Trump tests positive

Australian shares shed more than 1pc on Friday, declining further from their modest losses initially in reaction to US President Donald Trump testing positive for COVID-19, eclipsing any optimism stemming from easing of the local virus-led curbs.

President Trump tweeted he and the first lady Melania Trump had tested positive, sending the S&P 500 futures and global markets lower in what could be a new wave of volatility ahead of the November presidential elections.

"The Trump COVID-19 diagnosis is a strong negative for financial markets and will lead to a rotation into defensive positioning," said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst at OANDA.

Equity markets, especially pro-cyclical ones such as Australia, are expected to be outperformed by gold, the US dollar, and the US treasuries, he added.

The S&P/ASX 200 index ended 1.4pc lower at 5,791.5. For the week, it shed 2.9pc - its worst weekly fall since late-April.

The Australian government said it will allow residents from New Zealand to enter the country for the first time in six months without having to quarantine in the coming weeks.

Next week, investors will be looking at the Reserve Bank of Australia's cash rate decision, and the federal budget, which is likely to show a record deficit of around A$200 billion ($143.22 billion).

Heavyweight miners were the biggest drags on the index, losing more than 2pc, with global iron ore mining giants BHP Group and Rio Tinto ending 3.2pc and 1.9pc lower, respectively.

Financials and healthcare stocks declined 1.3pc and 1.7pc.

Meanwhile, Mesoblast was the top percentage loser among the ASX 200 companies, ending 37.2pc lower in its worst session since June 2016.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index edged up to finish at 11,822.84, ending its second straight week higher.