S&P/ASX 200 index fell 0.28 percent after closing of trading in Australia.

Stocks in Australia fell after the close on Wednesday, owing to losses in the Consumer Staples, Utilities, and A-REITs sectors. The S&P/ASX 200 index fell 0.28 percent at the close in Sydney, hitting a fresh one-month low.

South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) was the strongest performance on the S&P/ASX 200 during the session, rising 3.97 percent or 0.140 points to close at 3.670.

Waypoint REIT Ltd (ASX: WPR) rose 3.11 percent or 0.080 points to 2.650 in late afternoon, while Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) up 2.71 percent or 0.240 points to 9.110. GUD Holdings Ltd (ASX: GUD) was the worst performer of the session, falling 7.58 percent or 0.88 points to close at 10.78. Idp Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) down 6.0% or 2.10 points to 32.88, while Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) fell 7.39 percent or 4.62 points to 57.86.

On the Sydney Stock Exchange, declining equities outweighed advancing ones by 978 to 430, with 368 remaining unchanged. Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) shares hit five-year highs, rising 2.71 percent or 0.240 to 9. 110.

The implied volatility of S&P/ASX 200 options was up 5.75 percent to 15.203, according to the S&P/ASX 200 VIX. Gold futures for February delivery rose 11.90 percent to $1788.40 a troy ounce, up 0.67 percent.

In other commodities trading, January crude oil increased 3.37 percent or 2.23 cents to $68.41 a barrel, while the February Brent oil contract rose 3.67 percent or 2.54 cents to $71.77 a barrel.

The Australian dollar increased 0.45% to 0.7155, while the Australian dollar rose 0.70 percent to 81.14At 95.975, the US Dollar Index Futures were down 0.03 percent.

Story by : Norvisi Mawunyegah