As expected, it has been a disappointing start to the week for the local share market, following a mixed-close on Wall Street yesterday, the ASX200 tracking 0.65 per cent lower at noon. Aussie investors still look to be in holiday mode from the Easter weekend with only low volumes moving through this morning. The financials and healthcare sectors are proving to be the biggest drag on the market thus far; with losses in all of the big four banks as well as CSL and Cochlear. The energy space is the star performer with small gains in Santos and Oil Search.
The S&P/ASX 200 index is 32 points lower at 5,052. On the futures market the SPI is down 45 points.
Company news Smartpay Limited
(ASX:SMP) has announced the launch of its newest payments technology into the Australian market. Smartpay’s D-series MPOS integrated mobile payment terminals have recently received all necessary regulatory, bank and payment scheme approvals for use in the Australian market. Shares in Smartpay last traded at $0.13.
Rhinomed Limited
(ASX:RNO) has announced the appointment of Europa Sports Products in North Carolina to bring the company’s mute and turbine breathing technology to US health and fitness stores , health club facilities and the food and drug market. Europa Sports currently distributes products to approximately 30,000 retail stores. Shares in Rhinomed are trading up 4.17 per cent at $0.025.
Best and worst performers
The best performing sector is Energy, gaining 0.5 per cent to 7,915. Shares in Beach Energy have risen 2.4 per cent and trading at $0.64. Shares in Santos and Caltex are also stronger.
The worst performing sector is Healthcare, falling 1.5 per cent to 19,138. Shares in Ansell have fallen 2.72 per cent, trading at $17.19. Shares in Sonic Health and Cochlear are also lower.
Gold and the dollar
Gold is trading at $US1,222 an ounce.
The Australian dollar is buying $US0.7555.
