Australia Stocks Update: S&P/ASX 200 Falls 16.20 to 4,963.70

By Nicolas Johnson

July 14 (Bloomberg) -- Australia's benchmark stock index, the S&P/ASX 200 Index, fell 0.33 percent at 10:05 a.m.

The index of 200 companies traded on the Australian Stock Exchange fell 16.20 to 4,963.70. Among the stocks in the index, 34 rose, 84 fell and 82 were unchanged.

Declines in the S&P/ASX 200 Index were led by Bhp Billiton Ltd, Commonwealth Bank Of Australia and Csl Ltd/australia. About 83.29 million shares changed hands on the Australian Stock Exchange.

Bhp Billiton Ltd, which fell 32 cents to A$40.03, was the most active stock by value in Australia.

The next most-active issues were Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd, which fell 3 cents to A$17.92, and Commonwealth Bank Of Australia, which fell 31 cents to A$40.01.