S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) (ASX:XJO) finished the shortened session today down 120.8 points or down 1.78% to 6,684.1 points.
The tough day doesn't deny what has been a very strong year for the ASX 200, finishing up 18.4%.
Of the 253 trading days in 2019, there were only 5 worse than today in percentage terms.
- August 5 -1.90%
- August 6 -2.44%
- August 15 -2.85%
- October 3 -2.21%
- December 3 -2.19%
The gold stocks were some of the only stocks posting positive trading days with most of the ASX registering as red on the day.
Some of the worst hit ASX stocks today were Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX:PME) -8.92%, Mercury NZ Ltd (ASX:MCY) -7.69%, Technology One Ltd (ASX:TNE) -6.22% and WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX:WTC) -5.46%.
Pre-market: S&P/ASX 200 futures pointing to down day as US investors take year-end profits
ASX 200 futures are pointing to a down day to end the year as markets in the US fell overnight suggesting investors were taking some profits.
The S&P 500 Index (INDEXSP:.INX) closed down 18.73 or -0.58% to 3,221.29 and the Nasdaq Composite (INDEXNASDAQ: .IXIC) closed down 60.62 or -0.67% to 8,945.99.
Both indices have been trading at all-time highs earlier this week capping off a very successful year for stocks in 2019.
The AUDUSD continues its recent strength, up 0.26% over the past 24 hours to 0.6995 - this will likely add more downward pressure to today's session.
Gold also continues to creep higher over December trading at its high for the month of around US$1,518 per ounce while WTI Crude Oil was down 0.19% to US$61.60 per barrel.
There is no economic data set for release in Australia today and the market will close early at 2.10pm AEST.