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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Oil slump drags down Australian shares | Oil slump drags down Australian shares |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Australian stocks fell on Wednesday following an overnight slump in oil prices. | Australian stocks fell on Wednesday following an overnight slump in oil prices. |
| The resource-heavy S&P ASX 200 index closed down 1.5% at 5,271.14. | |
| Shares in energy giant Rio Tinto finished 7.8% lower, while Woodside Petroleum lost 5%. | Shares in energy giant Rio Tinto finished 7.8% lower, while Woodside Petroleum lost 5%. |
| Oil prices fell overnight on renewed fears of a supply glut. According to industry data, output from Middle East producers jumped last month and may continue to rise in the short term. | Oil prices fell overnight on renewed fears of a supply glut. According to industry data, output from Middle East producers jumped last month and may continue to rise in the short term. |
| Additionally, a US government report due out on Wednesday is expected to show that US crude stockpiles are at a record high. | Additionally, a US government report due out on Wednesday is expected to show that US crude stockpiles are at a record high. |
| Brent crude, which is used as an international benchmark, was down 1.9% overnight at $44.97 a barrel. Prices edged higher in Asian trade to just above $45. | Brent crude, which is used as an international benchmark, was down 1.9% overnight at $44.97 a barrel. Prices edged higher in Asian trade to just above $45. |
| Shares in BHP Billiton fell more than 9% in Australia following news of a lawsuit in Brazil. Prosecutors in Brazil filed a $43.5bn (£30bn) civil lawsuit against iron miner Samarco, and its owners BHP Billiton and Vale. | Shares in BHP Billiton fell more than 9% in Australia following news of a lawsuit in Brazil. Prosecutors in Brazil filed a $43.5bn (£30bn) civil lawsuit against iron miner Samarco, and its owners BHP Billiton and Vale. |
| In China, the Shanghai Composite closed flat at 2,991.27, while in Hong Kong the Hang Seng index fell 151.11 points, or 0.7%, to 20,525.83. | |
| In South Korea, the benchmark Kospi index closed down 0.5% at 1,976.71. | |
| Markets in Japan are shut for three days of national holidays and will re-open on Friday. | Markets in Japan are shut for three days of national holidays and will re-open on Friday. |