Midday: Aus shares track 0.86% higher at noon

Market Reports

Well it has been a positive start to the month of February for the local share market, thanks to further easing by the Bank of Japan and a strong day on Wall Street on Friday. The Aussie market jumped on the open and has managed to maintain that momentum into afternoon trade, tracking 0.86 per cent higher at noon. All sectors are in the black, but so far the Telcos and Healthcare spaces are doing the bulk of the heavy lifting, led up by Telstra and CSL. However, the Financials sector is painting a different picture, with losses in CBA and Westpac. 
 
The S&P/ASX 200 index is 43 points higher at 5,049. On the futures market the SPI is up 32 points. 
 
Company news

Kathmandu Holdings Limited (ASX:KMD) has advised total sales for the first half of FY2016 to be approximately $195.7 million, compared to $179.4 million in the previous corresponding period, representing an increase of 9.1 per cent. EBITDA is estimated to be between $21 to $22 million compared to $6.8 million last year. Shares in Kathmandu are trading up 11.59 per cent at $1.54. 
 
Charter Hall Group (ASX:CHC) has announced that David Harrison has been appointed as CEO and Managing Director of the group, following the board’s decision to move to a single CEO/MD structure. Mr Harrison will assume the role immediately, with founder David Southon to facilitate a smooth handover for up to 12 months. Shares in Charter Hall are trading up 1.35 per cent at $4.50. 
 
Best and worst performers

The best performing sector is Healthcare, gaining 2.7 per cent to 19,854. Shares in Sirtex have risen 4.04 per cent and trading at $19.14. Shares in Estia Health and CSL are also stronger. 
 
The sector with the least gains is Utilities, adding 0.2 per cent to 7,011. Shares in AGL have fallen 0.65 per cent, trading at $18.48. Shares in Ausnet and Duet Group are higher. 
 
Gold and the dollar

Gold is trading at $US1,118 an ounce.
The Australian dollar is buying $US0.7056. 

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