Australia's stock market fell for a third day running as sharp falls in US stock index futures and commodity prices added to negative offshore leads.
The S&P/ASX 200 index closed down 0.5 per cent at 7628.2 points after hitting a four-week low of 7601.5 as it continued to lose upward momentum after a strong rise over the past seven months.
After a the S&P 500 fell 0.7 per cent on Wednesday as the US 10-year bond yield hit a four-week high on a weak bond auction, S&P 500 futures dived 0.5 per cent in APAC trading pointing to a further selloff in the US market.
On top of that, Singapore iron ore futures fell 3.1 per cent to $US115.20 a tonne and Comex copper futures fell 2.4 per cent to $US4.6785 a pound.
The materials sector dived 2 per cent with BHP down 1.8 per cent, Fortescue Metals down 3.5 per cent and Rio Tinto down 1.7 per cent.
Northern Star fell 3.2 per cent as gold fell 0.5 per cent to $US2,325 an ounce.
Major banks trimmed early falls with ANZ ending up 0.2 per cent.
The S&P/ASX 200 is heading for a second consecutive weekly fall and a second consecutive monthly fall, something not seen since October.
The chart remains bearish with a Head & Shoulders Top pattern targeting 7530 while 7720 caps and a potential Double Bottom pattern that could target 7080 if the April low at 7493 gives way.