ASX 200 trims loss; Fortescue, BOQ lead falls; Woodside recovers

Fortescue leads miners down. Banks in the red. Essential 'open to engage' after MinRes buy-in. Woodside, Whitehaven gain despite weak quarter. Costa sees citrus recovery, but avocado a 'source of frustration'.

Investors are digesting overseas earnings reports, local quarterly updates and RBA’s review. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Welcome to the Trading Day blog for Friday, April 21. The S&P/ASX200 closes down 0.43pc to 7,330.40 with Bank of Queensland and Fortescue Metals the worst performers, while Whitehaven Coal and Boral post the biggest gains. Costa sees citrus recovery, but avocado a 'source of frustration'.

The ASX 200 closes down 0.43 per cent to 7330.40 -  after hitting a five-day low of 7314.9 in early trading.

On Wall Street, the S&P 500 closed 0.6 per cent lower, while the technology-focused Nasdaq Composite index shed 0.8 per cent and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3 per cent.

Oil prices dived nearly 3 per cent with the global benchmark Brent crude off 2.8 per cent to $US80.80 per barrel and the US WTI slipping 2.7 per cent to $US77.09 per barrel.