Sharemarket dragged down by banks, oil price
The Australian share market opened in the red, dragged down by the big four banks and the energy sector as oil prices fell to a seven month low. At 10.40am (AEST), the benchmark S & P/ASX200 index was down 6.7 points, or 0.12 per cent, at 5,798.5, while the broader All Ordinaries index was down 5 points, or 0.09 per cent, at 5,830.5. CommSec market analyst Steven Daghlian says today’s softer start was “no huge surprise” with energy stocks down on the back of a 1.1 per cent drop in oil prices in the US overnight. “That is a major drag on all the big names,” Mr Daghlian said. Santos, Woodside Petroleum and Oil Search were among the worst performers, down between 0.69 per cent and 1.48 per cent at 10.40am (AEST). Mr Daghlian said the financial sector was another main player holding back the market following the release of Moody’s credit ratings cut announced after yesterday’s market close. “This is the first opportunity for them to react to that and also the bank levy whi...