Market Close 2 August 19: ASX 200 cools as trade tensions heat up

The local sharemarket has fallen for a third consecutive session with the ASX 200 easing 20 points or 0.3% to 6768. Global markets were caught off guard by the escalation in US-China trade tensions. Commodity stocks were hit hardest with losses for local energy and mining stocks but defensives outperformed. Gold stocks jumped on a flight to safety.

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