Mar 13, 2019 (Euclid Infotech Ltd via COMTEX) -- Australian shares ended lower on Wednesday, with financial and healthcare stocks leading the decline as investors locked in gains following a strong run since January.
The S&P/ASX 200 index closed down 0.2 per cent or 13.6 points to 6,161.20, extending losses for a fourth straight session.
Investors took some money off the table after the benchmark rose about 9 per cent so far this year, fuelled by hopes for a Sino-US trade deal and China's stimulus plans to shore up its cooling economy. The index lost 6.9 per cent in 2018.
Financial stocks led the day's losses, with the sector down 0.3 per cent. Westpac Banking Corp fell 0.7 per cent and National Australia Bank Ltd lost 0.4 per cent.
