SYDNEY, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- The Australian share market scrambled back from early steeper losses Friday and finished 0.2 percent down amid concerns over the situation in Pakistan.

Stocks followed the U.S. market dip over the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto with the All Ordinaries Index losing nearly 3 points to 6,423 and the ASX 200 shedding 11 points and closing at 6,3340.

The price of oil and gold stocks rose but the financial sector had a mixed day along with the main retailers.

With the price of West Texas crude oil at $96.63 a barrel, Woodside Petroleum closed up 42 cents to $44.03 and Santos rose 34 cents to $12.27.

The spot price of gold was $824.80.an ounce.

In the resources sector, BHP Billiton (NYSE:BHP) closed down 51 cents at $35.42 while Rio Tinto (OTCPK:RTNTF) fell $1.23 to $117.21.

Shares in the iron-ore mining company Fortescue Metals jumped 17.64 percent to $7.39 following a 10-for-1 share split.

The Australian stayed above 87 U.S. cents with late trading around 87.32 cents after a low of 87.23 cents.