Inflation data spooks bourse

The Australian share market finished lower yesterday as falling base metal prices hit the big miners and local inflation figures stoked fears of an imminent rate increase.
Investors were rattled by an Australian Bureau of Statistics report showing producer prices rose by more than expected in the June quarter.
The result has laid the foundation for an interest rate rise next month, analysts said.
But the market is still awaiting the June-quarter consumer price index numbers tomorrow to confirm the strength of the threat.
Aequs Securities institutional dealer Ric Klusman said the bourse was "extremely quiet" ahead of the big inflation announcement.
"Overall, people are very nervous ahead of the inflation figures, which will come out on Wednesday," he said.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 ended 26.2 points lower at 4934.4 points while the All Ordinaries fell 27.7 points to 4906.6 points.
Despite market expectations of an upcoming record $US3.5 billion ($4.67 billion) first-half profit for mining giant Rio Tinto, the company's stock dipped $1.79 to $72.01.
Rival and market leader BHP Billiton lost 84c to $27.32.
The banks were mostly weaker with National Australia Bank dropping 4c to $34.60, ANZ shedding 4c to $25.34 and Westpac losing 4c to $22.11.
However, Commonwealth Bank added 11c to $44.21.
Shares in Newcrest Mining enjoyed a 49c boost to $18.89 after the local gold mining megalith reported increased fourth-quarter production. But rival gold miner Newmont reversed 18c and Lihir Gold lost 11c to $2.68 as the price of gold fell.
Spot gold closed at $US613.65, down $US10.20 on Friday's close.
Elsewhere, zinc and lead miner Zinifex lost 3c to $9.91 despite setting new annual production levels at its flagship Century mine.
Oil producer Woodside Petroleum backtracked 25c to $43.25 and Oil Search slipped 2c to $4.14. But rival Santos found 2c to $11.40.
Among the big media stocks, News Corporation lost 20c to $25.36 and its non-voting scrip dropped 15c to $24.30.
Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd slipped 16c to $17.62, Fairfax gave up 3c to $3.94 but Seven Network edged up 2c to $8.66.
Retailer Coles Myer gained 11c to $11.50 while rival Woolworths lost 12c to $18.87.
Telstra was steady at $3.82 while Singapore Telecommunications rose 1c to $2.09. The top-traded stock by volume was Conquest Mining, with 29.15 million shares worth $12.70 million changing hands. Conquest was 7c higher at 43.5c.
National market turnover was 801.08 million shares worth $3 billion, with 401 stocks up, 640 down and 324 unchanged.
On the Sydney Futures Exchange the September share price index contract finished 27 points weaker at 4915 on a volume of 12,440 contracts.