The Australian share market has ended in negative territory amid sharp losses in the energy and mining sectors on plunging commodity prices.

After being up by as much as a 22.6 points in early morning trade, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed on Wednesday down 34.8 points, or 0.52 per cent, to 6,594.5.

The broader All Ordinaries retreated 33.8 points, or 0.5 per cent, to 6,784.3.

The Australian dollar was buying 67.92 US cents, from 68.57 US cents at Tuesday’s close, as the greenback surged against other currencies.

Derek Rose
(Australian Associated Press)