ASX 200 losses led by staples; Endeavour tumbles on result, Altium soars

ASX records worst two-day fall since June. Endeavour and EML lead broad losses, Altium soars on profit, Kogan drops on first loss and Russia tensions boost coal miners.

Equity investors are parsing earnings reports and economic updates. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Welcome to the Trading Day blog for Tuesday, August 23. The Australian sharemarket posted its worst two-day fall since June as consumer staples lead losses, while coal miners pace gains in the energy sector.

The S&P/ASX 200 index was down by 1 per cent to 6979.60 at 2.16pm AEST.

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones index fell 1.9 per cent while the S&P 500 index lost 2.1 per cent and the tech-rich Nasdaq index ended 2.6 per cent lower as US investors fret over

US 10-year bond yields rose to near 3.03 per cent and US 2-year yields climbed to near 3.32 per cent.

Oil prices are higher with global benchmark Brent crude down 0.2 per cent to $US96.48 per barrel and the US Nymex crude 0.6 per cent weaker at $US90.23 per barrel.

Iron ore futures are 0.2 per cent stronger to $US104.37 per tonne.

The Aussie dollar was near US68.67c at the close. 

Originally published as ASX 200 losses led by staples; Endeavour tumbles on result, Altium soars