Australia Stocks Update: S&P/ASX 200 Falls 19.20 to 5,116.40

By Darren Boey

Sep. 1 (Bloomberg) -- Australia's benchmark stock index, the S&P/ASX 200 Index, fell 0.37 percent at 10:05 a.m.

The index of 200 companies traded on the Australian Stock Exchange fell 19.20 to 5,116.40. Among the stocks in the index, 35 rose, 71 fell and 94 were unchanged.

Declines in the S&P/ASX 200 Index were led by Bhp Billiton Ltd, Commonwealth Bank Of Australia and Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. About 61.38 million shares changed hands on the Australian Stock Exchange.

Bhp Billiton Ltd, which rose 13 cents to A$41.05, was the most active stock by value in Australia.

The next most-active issues were Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd, which fell 16 cents to A$16.45, and Commonwealth Bank Of Australia, which fell 42 cents to A$41.98.