Around the World's Markets: Buenos Aires

ARGENTINE SHARES closed lower after a lacklustre day during which they started higher before following Wall Street down into the red during afternoon trading.

The Merval index closed down 0.44 per cent at 472.6 points, a 2.11 point fall. Turnover was almost halved in the lull, coming in at a weak 24.4m pesos in comparison with Tuesday's 42.2m pesos.

"There weren't any reasons today for the fall except the market's own weakness," said one trader last night.