The ASX 200 closed down 0.57% at 8,326 points.
Total wages and salaries paid by employers in Australia reached a record high of $103.7 billion in September, marking a 3.9% increase of $3.9 billion from the previous month, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The Telecommunication sector was the biggest loser, down 1.5%, followed by Industrials, down 1.3% and Discretionary, down 1.1%.
Health Care was best performer, gaining 0.25%, followed by Utilities, up 0.2%.
In the Green
Sparc Technologies (ASX:SPN) closed up 2.94% on news its teaming up with Santos (ASX:STO) to trial its anti-corrosion coating on assets in South Australia.
Sparc Technologies closed at 17.5 cents.
Greenvale Energy (ASX:GRV) closed up 3.45% on news it will be expanding its uranium exploration portfolio with the acquisition of the Elkedra Uranium Project in the Northern Territory. The project is located 300km northeast of Alice Springs and 200km southeast of Tennant Creek, within the geologically significant Cambrian Georgina Basin.
Greenvale Energy closed at 3 cents.
Plenti Group (ASX:PLT) closed up 2.78% on release of its half year results. The company booked a 28% increase in revenue to $124.2 million and NPAT increased 260% to $5.5 million.
Plenti Group closed at 74 cents.
In the Red
Greentech Metals (ASX:GRE) closed down 9% after raising $3.4 million from multiple sources to kick off copper drilling at its Whundo project.
Greentech Metals closed at 9.1 cents.
Webjet (ASX:WJL) closed down 9.78% after the online travel agent warned its half year results have been delayed. The company says the complexities of the demerger transactions was the cause of the delay.
Webjet wrapped up at 8.3 cents.
Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX:CUV) closed down 1.62% on news it’s in late-stage discussions with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to increase the recommended maximum dosage of its drug SCENESSE for adult patients.
Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals closed at $13.40.
