THE Australian sharemarket closed lower amid profit taking today and mixed messages about economic data out of Asia.
At the close,the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was 13.5 points,or 0.28 per cent lower at 4709.5,while the broader All Ordinaries index was down 11.4 points,or 0.24 per cent,at 4733.8.
On the ASX 24,the March share price index futures contract was 11 points lower at 4681,with 25,099 contracts traded.
IG Markets market strategist Evan Lucas said sentiment had turned negative following Chinese data showing inflation was at a relatively low 2.6 per cent for 2012,but had increased in December,indicating no stimulation is likely soon.
However that was offset by Japan's weaker than expected trade surplus of Y0.23 trillion($2.47 billion)and its premier Shinzo Abe unveiling a$US226.5 billion stimulus package.