Australian shares close at lowest in over a week; miners, banks weigh
By Nikita Maria Jino and Shravya Marakini
Nov 4 (Reuters) - Australian shares closed lower on Wednesday, with miners and banks weighing the most as investors assessed the impact of high interest rates on the economy after signals that the central bank's tightening cycle may have run its course.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO finished down 0.6% at 8,834.50, its lowest close since October 26.
The benchmark rose 0.3% in the previous session, after the Reserve Bank of Australia raised its cash rate to an 18-year high of 4.85% in a split vote and dropped its reference to further hikes if needed.
"The market is cautiously optimistic that we are approaching peak interest rates, but investors are increasingly selective as the impact of higher rates flows through to the economy," said Grady Wulff, senior market analyst at Bell Direct.
Short-term government bond prices rose over two sessions after the RBA's dovish tilt, pushing the 3-year yield down to 4.756%. These bonds typically track central bank rate expectations.
Falling 3-year yields point to markets expecting peak rates, but they also reflect slowing growth, Wulff said, adding that the RBA will wait for sustained disinflation before easing, making this a data-dependent environment.
Financials .AXFJ recovered most losses to close down 0.2%, largely on a 0.6% slip in Commonwealth Bank of Australia CBA.AX.
Consumer-reliant discretionary .AXDJ and real estate .AXRE sectors ticked 0.7% and 1.1% lower, respectively.
Miners .AXMM fell for the fifth straight session, dipping 1.3% as copper prices hovered near 11-week lows. BHP BHP.AX and Rio Tinto RIO.AX shed 1.5% and 1.7%, respectively. MET/L
In New Zealand, the S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 ended up 0.5% at 13,783.45.
Data showed the country's quarterly unemployment climbed to an 11-year high ahead of a tight election contest this week.
"Today's labour market data seem unequivocally weaker than expected...While likely not a gamechanger for the cycle overall, it will add ammunition to the arguments of the MPC (Monetary Policy Committee) doves that a pause in interest rate rises will make sense soon," said Kelly Eckhold, Westpac NZ's chief economist.