Aussie shares dipped lower today, after mixed leads from international markets overnight and uncomfortably high CPI data out of China.
Four out of twelve sectors finished in the red. Telcos were the worst, with Telstra dropping 2% after its first half profit missed analyst expectations.
The big four banks were stronger on the day; Westpac put on 0.9% and NAB 0.3%.
The mining majors were weaker, hurt by the lower likelihood of easier monetary policy in China.
BHP lost 1.6%, while rival Rio Tinto let go of 0.2% ahead of its half year results, which were released after the bell.
The iron ore giant reported an 11% rise in 1H12 underlying profit to $15.5 billion. The headline result was down 59% on-year due to an impairment charge.
Sims plummeted 7% after it announced a $614 million writedown relating to goodwill surrounding acquisitions and joint ventures conducted by its North American arm.
The ASX 200 shed eight points (-0.2%), to settle at 4283.
