Aussie shares have closed lower today on profit taking, with the financials leading the declines. Falls in Energy and mining stocks also dragged on the market on the back of weaker copper and oil prices.
The S&P/ASX 200 Index closed 65 points lower at 4,531 while on the futures market, the SPI200’s down 69.
To company news around this afternoon: Construction company Leighton Holdings Ltd (ASX:LEI) has been selected to construct the $200 million new Western Freeway route between Melton and Bacchus Marsh, west of Melbourne. Leighton’s subsidiary John Holland will undertake the work in alliance with VicRoads, Victoria’s highway department, and technical services company AECOM. General manager of John Holland’s Southern Region, David Moran says the project has been awarded both on the company’s strength of its project team and the innovative solutions developed to ensure the efficient delivery of the project. Leighton Holdings shares closed 2.5 per cent lower at $36.31.
Bendigo & Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX:BEN) has raised $121 million from the retail component of its capital raising. The bank says it received strong demand from eligible shareholders for the fully underwritten retail component, resulting in $161 million in total applications. The $121 million adds to the $177 million the company raised from institutional investors on August 12. Group managing director Mike Hirst says the proceeds from the raising will help strengthen the company’s capital base, enhances its financial flexibility and enables the company to take advantage of growth opportunities as markets continue to improve. Bendigo & Adelaide Bank shares closed 1.8 per cent weaker at $8.18.
Also making news today: Transfield Services Ltd (ASX:TSE) has announced it will form a strategic partnership with Transdev to pursue public transport opportunities in the Middle East. Transdev is the 4th largest private operator of public transport in Europe.
South Australian miner Terramin Australia Ltd (ASX:TZN) says it plans to drill several old mines and prospects to boost production of base metals and gold from the region around the company’s Angus mine.
Global miner Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX:RIO) says it has received approval from the Brazilian National Defence Council on the sale of its Corumba iron ore mine in Brazil to Brazilian miner Vale S.A.
And healthcare company Sigma Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX:SIP) has reported a five per cent rise in net profit for the half year and says it maintains its guidance for modest growth in net profit for the full year.
Now to the best and worst performers: The best performing sector at close was the Real Estate Investment Trust index, up 1 point to 898; while the worst performing sector at close was the Financials Excluding Real Estate Investment Trust index; down 109 points to 5,221.
The best performing stock in the S&P/ ASX200 was Hills Industries shares rose 4.66 per cent to $1.91. Shares in Austar United and Sundance Resources also closed higher.
The worst performing stock was Minara Resources with shares falling 6.63 per cent to $0.845. Shares in St Barbara and Riversdale Mining also closed lower.
In commodities, gold is trading at $1000.10 U.S an ounce and light crude is down $1 at $68.29 U.S a barrel.
