Australia 200 Slips to 6,937.40 as May PMI Contracts to 48.7

The S&P/ASX 200 extended losses on June 5, closing at 6,937.40 after May manufacturing PMI fell into contraction at 48.7. The index has oscillated since early May between roughly 8,496 and a May 29 peak of 8,717.70, buffeted by swings in miners, banks and commodity prices. Cooling April inflation eased bond yields and RBA hawkishness, yet renewed growth concerns and sector weakness in financials, tech and energy lifted the ASX 200 VIX to 12.92.