The Aussie market lost ground today with every sector finishing the session underwater.

Sentiment was affected by a weak session in the US the night before and traders not wanting to carry risk ahead of tonight's key US non-farm payroll data.

The XJO finished the day down 65 points (-1.5%) at 4243.

Utilities were the worst performers with one of its major components, AGL Energy, dropping 3.9% after going ex-dividend.

The miners also had a tough day with BHP down 2.1% and Rio Tinto losing 1.4%.

However, there was some strength in gold stocks with Perseus Mining rising 1.4%.

Qantas was one of the few bright sparks in the industrials space, climbing 2.2% after announcing an increase in July passenger numbers.

The big banks had a tough session with all four losing ground; ANZ was the worst of the four, dropping 1.7%.