Australia shares hit 3-month low

MELBOURNE: Australian shares fell 1.4 percent to their lowest close in three months on Thursday, hit by steep falls in heavyweight miners after monthly data showed Australian employment fell and China imports rose less than expected.

The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index fell 68.1 points to 4,699.7, according to the latest data, its weakest since Dec 6. The index fell 0.8 percent on Wednesday.

New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index fell 0.2 percent to 3,406.2 after the central bank slashed its benchmark interest rate 50 basis points to provide a boost to the economy after last month's earthquake devastated Christchurch, the nation's second biggest city.