Fortescue Ltd (FSUMF)

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Australian shares pared early losses to end little changed, as losses in the resources sector in reaction to weak Chinese and European manufacturing data offset gains in exporters. Both the benchmark S&P/ASX ended down around 0.1 percent each.

Among the top miners, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Fortescue and Newcrest fell between 1.2 percent and 1.5 percent. QR National dropped 3.1 percent after the rail operator cut its full-year earnings forecast, citing an ongoing industrial action. Shares of paper merchant PaperlinX plunged 20 percent after a move by disgruntled shareholder to oust its chairman failed.

Among healthcare firms, Ramsay Health Care rallied 3.1 percent and CSL rose 1.6 percent as investors sold the Australian dollar to hedge against the possibility of a Chinese hard landing. Leighton Holdings edged up 0.4 percent as the company said it's been in negotiations with Fortescue Metals Group to undertake contract mining work.