SYDNEY, AAP – A second-half fade in trading caused losses for a third consecutive day on the ASX.

BHP and Fortescue Metals each lost more than two per cent on Wednesday as miners proved the biggest weights. Rio Tinto lost 1.65 per cent.

Energy companies were the next biggest losers.

The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed lower by 10.3 points, or 0.14 per cent, to 7423.9.

The All Ordinaries closed down 18.9 points, or 0.24 per cent, to 7737.4.

 

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The Australian dollar was buying 73.58 US cents at 1620 AEDT, lower from 74.14 cents at Tuesday’s close.