Investing.com – Australia stocks were lower after the close on Thursday, as losses in the , and sectors led shares lower.

The decline in Sydney was 2.74% at the closing.

Rio Tinto Ltd. (ASX) was the best performer of the session, rising 0.73% or 0.720 points to close at 101.210. OZ Minerals Ltd., (ASX 🙂 gained 0.57 points or 0.59% to trade at 28.95. Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Ltd. was up 0.41 to trade at 26.88.

Afterpay Touch Group Ltd. (ASX) was the worst performer of the session, falling 10.76% (8.66 points) to close at 71.85. Seek Ltd (ASX) fell 7.31%, or 2.43 points, to close at 30.83. Platinum Asset Management Ltd was also down 7.27% (or 0.20 points) to 2.55.

The Sydney Stock Exchange saw falling stocks surpass advancing stock by 1091, 371 and 352, respectively.

Afterpay Touch Group Ltd. (ASX) shares fell 10.76%, or 8.66 to 71.185. OZ Minerals Ltd. (ASX) shares rose to five-year highs, up 0.59% (0.17 to 28.95). Platinum Asset Management Ltd. (ASX) shares fell to their lowest levels in 7.27%, or 0.20 to 2.55.

The , which measures the implied volatility of S&P/ASX 200 options, was up 23.83% to 13.525.

For February delivery, Gold Futures fell 1.32% (24.05%) to $1801.05 an troy ounce. In commodities trading, crude oil fell 0.38 or 0.49% to reach $77.47 per barrel in February, and the March Brent oil contract dropped 0.42 or 0.52% to trade at $80.38 per barrel.

The AUD/USD fell by 0.82% at 0.7160 while the AUD/JPY dropped by 0.97% at 83.00.

US Dollar Index Futures were up 0.2% at 96.382.