Australia Stocks Update: S&P/ASX 200 Falls 25.30 to 5,042.20

By Darren Boey

Sep. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Australia's benchmark stock index, the S&P/ASX 200 Index, fell 0.50 percent at 10:05 a.m.

The index of 200 companies traded on the Australian Stock Exchange fell 25.30 to 5,042.20. Among the stocks in the index, 41 rose, 72 fell and 87 were unchanged.

Declines in the S&P/ASX 200 Index were led by Bhp Billiton Ltd, Incitec Pivot Ltd and Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. About 40.99 million shares changed hands on the Australian Stock Exchange.

Bhp Billiton Ltd, which fell 98 cents to A$36.62, was the most active stock by value in Australia.

The next most-active issues were Australia & Banking Group Ltd, which rose 1 cents to A$17.61, and Commonwealth Bank Of Australia, which fell 18 cents to A$44.69.