ASX and $A decline as Asian stocks hit 9-month lows

The news: The ASX declined for the sixth straight session, as unemployment data came up short of expectations and concerns about China's sluggish recovery collided with FOMC fears about further inflation risks.

The numbers: The ASX200 closed 0.68% lower at 7,146. The Aussie dollar continued to slip, inching 0.34% lower to USD0.64 at 4:30pm AEST. By sector, Industrials, healthcare and consumer staples all lost at least 1%, while financials dropped 0.99%. Real estate was the best performer, gaining 0.96%. Chicken producer Inghams rose by more than 14% after lifting its annual profit by 72.1%. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares excepting Japan fell to nine-month lows, according to the AFR.

The context: Full year results for NZ energy play Spark, Centuria Capital, Magellan and Latitude, along with half-year results for Allkem, will drop tomorrow. US unemployment data will be released at 10:30pm AEST, at the same time as the Philly Fed Manufacturing Index, which is often a leading indicator on US economic health.