Australian stocks dived down Wednesday before the much awaited decision by the U.S. Federal Reserve that will likely result in a trimmed pace of financial stimulus. The S&P/ASX 200 retreated 3 points, or 0.1%, to 5,248.20, weighed by pullbacks among mining issues after metal prices lost stability, including retreats of 0.3% each in shares of BHP Billiton Ltd. and Rio Tinto Ltd. and a 1.9% backslide for gold producer Newcrest Mining Ltd. . Weakness was widespread in the energy sector where Woodside Petroleum Ltd. relinquished 0.6%. But most banking shares soared, with National Australia Bank Ltd. trading 0.8% higher and Commonwealth Bank of Australia skyrocketed 0.2%.
