Our next investor event is tomorrow at 12.30 AEST. Make your way to fnn.com.au to sign up for your free online site.
The Aussie stock market has opened higher with Turkey, saying Moscow and Ukraine are closer to a peace talks. The technology sector leads the ASX, with consumer discretion coming second, while industries and energy pull lower.
Afterpay owner block (ASX: SQ2) leads the market, trading almost 9 percent higher at $ 183.99. In the last five trading days, the block has risen by 37 percent.
Eagers Automotive (ASX: APE) leads the consumer discretionary sector, up 1.9 per cent to $ 12.76 following a non-binding agreement with Australian Motor Group to sell its Bill Buckle car business and associated properties in Sydney’s northern beaches for around $ 92 million.
In connection with the news surrounding Australia’s aid to Ukraine, Whitehaven Coal (ASX: WHC) is down 1.4 percent.
AGL Energy (ASX: AGL) rose 0.4 percent to $ 7.24 after the giant got the green light from the state government to build a 500-megawatt battery at a coal-fired power plant in NSW, three times the size of Tesla’s battery in South Australia.
Qube (ASX: QUB) announces a $ 400 million off-market acquisition program through a tender process. In its half-year results in late February, Qube said it plans to return $ 400 million in capital to shareholders in FY22 following the completion of the Moorebank Logistics Park transaction. Shares are up 1.3 percent at $ 3.05.
Fortescue Metals Group (ASX: FMG) leads iron ore players, up 2.1 percent to $ 18.96. BHP Group (ASX: BHP) rose 1.2 percent to $ 46.78 in Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) the trade was 0.6 percent higher at $ 111.04.
Northern Star (ASX: NST) lowers the gold stock lower, 3.1 percent to $ 10.32. Newcrest Mining (ASX: NCM) fell 2.6 percent to $ 25.30 in evolution mining (ASX: EVN) is trading at 4.42 US dollars.
All major banks are higher except National Australia Bank (ASX: NAB) down 0.5 percent at $ 31.05. Macquarie Group (ASX: MQG) rose 1.6 percent to $ 197.88, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) added 0.5 percent to $ 106.77, ANZ Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) is up 0.5 percent at $ 27.73 in Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX: WBC) the trade was 0.1 percent higher at $ 23.68.
Meanwhile, energy stocks are lower, led by Beach Energy (ASX: BPT) down 1.8 percent to $ 1.54. Woodside Petroleum (ASX: WPL) fell 0.2 percent to $ 31.31 in Santos (ASX: STO) was trading 0.1% lower at 7.54 US dollars.
Elsewhere, Hamish Douglass resigned from Magellan Financial (ASX: MFG) Board of Directors following his decision to retire as president in February on medical leave, which has now led him to resign as director. The Board of Directors will continue to look for another independent director. Shares are trading 1% lower at $ 15.58.
Link administration (ASX: LNK) said regulatory approvals were finalized for the Dye & Durham takeover bid announced in December, with completion expected to happen in June or July. Shares are up 1.3 percent at $ 5.16.
At noon, the S & P / ASX 200 was 0.4 percent or 30 points higher at 7,324.
SPI futures point to an increase of 18 points.
Best and worst performers
The best performing sector is information technology, up 3 percent. The worst performing sector is industries, down 0.6 percent.
The best performing stock in the S & P / ASX 200 is Block (ASX: SQ2), Traded almost 9 percent higher at $ 183.99. It is followed by shares in Life360 (ASX: 360) and Novonix (ASX: NVX).
The worst performing stock in the S & P / ASX 200 is Gray Mining (ASX: DEG), Traded 7.5 percent lower at $ 1.21. It is followed by stocks in Atlas Arteria (ASX: ALX) and Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals (ASX: CUV).
Commodities in dollars
Gold is traded for 1922.53 US dollars.
Iron ore is 3.0 percent higher at US $ 151.35 per tonne.
Iron ore futures point to an increase of 2.2 percent.
1 Australian Dollar buy 74.18 US Cent.
Add Comment