Eight of the nine ASX industrial sectors were in the red in early trading. -AAP Image
The local bourse has fallen in its final session of October to end the month lower ahead of a pivotal week for markets.
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The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index finished Thursday down 20.4 points, or 0.25 per cent, at 8,160, while the broader All Ordinaries fell 17.4 points, or 0.21 per cent, to 8,422.1.
After reaching a record high of 8,384.5 earlier in October, a two-week losing streak saw the ASX200 end the month down 1.3 per cent - its biggest monthly fall since April.
Consumer staples were the worst performers on Thursday, down 1.6 per cent, with supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths both falling after reporting softer trading.
Market-moving developments next week include the US election, interest rate decisions from the Australian, US and UK central banks and more details on China's fiscal stimulus package.
The Australian dollar was buying 65.65 US cents, from 65.40 US cents at Wednesday's ASX close.
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