Midday: Aus shares track 0.63% lower at noon

Market Reports

After shock swept through international markets yesterday following the terrorist attack in Brussels, the Australian share market opened in negative territory and is currently tracking 0.63 per cent lower at noon. It’s a sea of red once again for the materials and financials sectors with losses in the big miners and the big four banks. Gold is bucking the trend today, with investors flocking into the “safe haven” commodity following yesterday’s unsettling events overseas.  
 
The S&P/ASX 200 index is 32 points lower at 5,134. On the futures market the SPI is down 44 points. 
 
Company news

Alexium International Group Limited (ASX:AJX) says Alexium’s green chemistry has been selected as a flame retardant solution for one of the top four carpet suppliers in the world, with the receipt of its first purchase order in the floor covering market. The company says this purchase order validates the entry into a new market for Alexium. Shares in Alexium International are trading up 2.17 per cent at $0.70. 
 
NewZulu Limited (ASX:NWZ) has signed a new partner to the NewZulu Content syndication platform. The partnership with Newscom will involve the distribution of NewZulu’s user generated content throughout the USA. Newscom has a 5000-strong client base covering 106 countries. Shares in NewZulu are trading flat at $0.024. 
 
Best and worst performers

Only one sector is in the black and that’s Staples, gaining 0.8 per cent to 8,530. Shares in Bellamy’s have risen 1.54 per cent and trading at $11.23. Shares in Woolworths and Coca-Cola are also stronger. 
 
The worst performing sector is Energy, falling 1.1 per cent to 7,857. Shares in Whitehaven Coal have fallen 5.24 per cent, trading at $0.68. Shares in Worley Parsons and Origin Energy are also lower. 
 
IPOs

JC International Group Limited (ASX:JCI) started trading today. The construction services company floated with an issue price of $0.80, opened at $0.80 and is currently trading at $0.90.    
 
Gold and the dollar

Gold is trading at $US1,248 an ounce.
The Australian dollar is buying $US0.7623. 

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