Mining-services firms MacMahon Holdings and Downer EDI gained 7.3% and 5.9%, respectively, receiving market approval of their own first-half results.

WSJ: Asia Markets Finish Mixed

Industries represented in this portfolio include pharmaceuticals, telecom services, mining, real estate, business services, semiconductors and printing.

FORBES: 7 Large-Cap Stocks That Top 10-Year Treasury Yields

These came largely from manufacturing, temporary help services and mining, while the construction sector saw job losses.

BBC: US shares fall on weak jobs data