Local shares down to round out worst month since April

Woolworths and Coles have led the fall as the ASX finished the day - and October - down. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

The local bourse has fallen in its final session of October to end the month lower ahead of a pivotal week for markets.

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.