SYDNEY: The Australian stocks closed mixed, held back by further volatility in energy stocks and a slumping consumer staples sector.
At the 4.15pm (AEDT) official market close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was 0.2 of a point higher at 5,842.3, while the broader All Ordinaries index fell 3 points, or 0.05 per cent, to 5,808.
After rebounding strongly yesterday, energy stocks dragged the local market lower today following a further rout in oil markets overnight.
US oil prices
slid to a fresh six-year low on expectations that US crude stockpiles have risen to a record high. April delivery futures settled down 1 per cent on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the lowest settlement since March 11, 2009.
Energy stocks gave up 0.45 per cent as a sector.
Oil Search slumped 1.18 per cent to $7.56.
Santos slipped 1.67 per cent to $7.06, while Woodside Petroleum lost 0.78 per cent to $34.86.
The mining sector finished 0.36 per cent higher despite the iron ore price touching a new six-year low overnight.
