Aussie shares started the trading week in the red, despite Friday night's positive lead from international markets.

At home the sectors finished mostly weaker, with financial and energy stocks the biggest drags on the market. IT was the clear standout sector.

The banking majors finished mainly weaker, with ANZ (-0.3%), NAB (-0.6%) and CBA (-0.5%) all finishing lower, Westpac managed to buck the trend with a 0.1% gain.

The big miners were also mixed; BHP lost 0.2%, whilst Rio Tinto managed clawed back some of Friday's losses, advancing 0.6%.

Sundance jumped 7.5% after accepting a lower takeover offer from Chinese suitor Hanlong Mining Investments.

Elsewhere Caltex Australia closed down 1.4% despite booking a 1H FY12 net profit of $197 million, a massive 74% increase on the prior corresponding periods.

The ASX 200 shed five points (-0.1%) to settle at 4344.

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Evening Market Analysis: Bullying Fade is a post from: Australian Stock Report Market Pulse Blog