Closing Bell 2nd September: Banks and Miners Offset Ex-Dividend Drags
The Australian sharemarket pared early losses to trade slightly lower on Tuesday, as strength in banks and miners helped balance declines from ex-dividend heavyweights. The S&P/ASX 200 Index slipped 0.1 per cent, or 7.8 points, to 8919.90 at midday AEST, with Wall Street closed for the US Labour Day holiday.