81.   Traders said the market is being pulled lower as participants unwind long arbitrage positions following the fall in futures prices.

82.   Traders said the weakness in Sony shares also pulled lower other blue chips, including Toyota Motor, TDK and Fuji Photo Film.

83.   Traders said although British funds were buying, Vodafone was pulled lower by declining Mannesmann shares.

84.   But the new conservative government in Canberra has decided to continue the sale of government stocks, which threatens to pull prices lower.

85.   Foreign investors particularly sold blue chips throughout the day while share prices were also pulled lower by arbitrage selling, brokers said.

86.   The broker said it was difficult for investors to buy actively as share prices may be pulled broadly lower if Wall Street extends its current pull-back.