Rocky year in shares as miners dig market out of a hole

The materials sector, made up mostly of mining companies, kept the market trucking along. (Alan Porritt/AAP PHOTOS)

Australia's stock market has lagged well behind its global peers during the past year, with two sectors racking up heavy losses.

Overall, the local bourse ended the 12 months to June 30 in the green but sharply underperformed against overseas markets, as miners again lead the way for investors.