Australian Shares Fall Amid US Government Shutdown Concerns

   By Robb M. Stewart 
 

MELBOURNE, Australia--Australian equities were sharply lower Monday as markets across the region braced for a partial shutdown of the U.S. government.

Sentiment was further dampened by weaker-than-expected industrial production data out of Japan, which added further weight on resources shares. Gold stocks were among the few gainers in early trading, bolstered by a rise in the spot bullion price to its highest since Sept. 20 amid growing concerns over the deadlock in Washington.

"While a partial government shutdown can theoretically be averted up until tomorrow afternoon, this is now looking unlikely," said Ric Spooner, chief market analyst at CMC Markets in Sydney. "The immediate impact for markets will be increased uncertainty."

At 0130 GMT, the S&P/ASX 200 was 1.2% lower at 5241.7, with broadbased declines led by energy, mining and financial stocks.

The benchmark index ended at a fresh five-year high on Friday. The ASX has logged seven consecutive weekly gains and is set for its biggest quarterly rise since the third quarter of 2009, said Evan Lucas, a market strategist at IG in Melbourne.

Mr. Lucas said markets would respond violently to news of a U.S. shutdown, eroding investor optimism that has been building. "Trade is going to shift quickly and sporadically," he said.

Time is running out for Congress in the U.S. to pass a budget and avoid the first federal closure since 1996, something leaders of both parties have said they want to avoid. The risk of a shutdown comes at a time when many economists expect the Federal Reserve to begin tapering economic stimulus some time in the next six months.

Australia's largest mining companies were trading lower, with BHP Billiton down 1.2% and Rio Tinto 1.8% lower.

The big banks also were weaker, with ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank and Westpac down between 1.4% and 1.5%.

Supported by a stronger gold price, Newcrest Mining was up 2%, AngloGold Ashanti was up 3.5% and Resolute Mining was up 3.6%.

OZ Minerals, meanwhile, pared some of its earlier gains on the back of a media report that Glencore Xstrata had acquired a stake in the company. It was trading 3.4% higher after issuing a statement to say it hadn't been approached by Glencore with any proposal.

Write to Robb M. Stewart at [e-mail]

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