Australia Stocks Update: S&P/ASX 200 Falls 94.20 to 4,061.90

By Darren Boey

Oct. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Australia's benchmark stock index, the S&P/ASX 200 Index, fell 2.27 percent at 10:05 a.m.

The index of 200 companies traded on the Australian Stock Exchange fell 94.20 to 4,061.90. Among the stocks in the index, 9 rose, 111 fell and 80 were unchanged.

Declines in the S&P/ASX 200 Index were led by Bhp Billiton Ltd, Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd and Csl Ltd/australia. About 65.09 million shares changed hands on the Australian Stock Exchange.

Bhp Billiton Ltd, which fell A$2.75 to A$24.50, was the most active stock by value in Australia.

The next most-active issues were Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd, which fell 90 cents to A$18.10, and Commonwealth Bank Of Australia, which fell 72 cents to A$41.17.