Aussie shares closed .8 per cent lower today, financial and resource stocks pulling the market down along with concerns surrounding European banks.
The S&P/ASX 200 Index is down 36 points to finish at 4,537. On the futures market, the SPI200 is down 40 points.
To company news around this afternoon: Centaurus Metals Ltd (ASX:GGY) says it will raise up to $18 million to accelerate growth at its Brazilian Iron Ore Projects. The iron ore explorer advises that funds will be raised through a $14.4 million share placement at 7.5 cents per share to international and domestic clients of joint lead managers Hartleys Ltd and Southern Cross Equities Ltd. A $3.6 million share purchase plan to existing shareholders will be undertaken at 7.5 cents per share. Shares in Centaurus Metals are 4.71% down at $0.081.
Carindale Property Trust (ASX:CDP) will start work on a major $300 million project at Westfield Carindale later this year. The property trust advises that its share of the project cost is around $150 million, and expects to maintain its annual dividend of 27.8 cents per share. The re-development will include a new mall over two levels and around 120 new tenancies. Westfield Carindale is jointly owned by Carindale Property Trust and the Lend Lease Group (ASX:LLC) managed Australian Prime Property Fund Retail. Shares in Carindale Property Trust are steady at $4.20.
Sundance Resources Ltd (ASX:SDL) says it is investigating a deal with a Chinese company concerning railway facilities to support production at its flagship iron ore projects in West Africa.
Paint group Wattyl Ltd (ASX:WYL) has announced its shareholders have approved a $142 million friendly takeover proposal from American-based Valspar Corporation.
Shares in Foster’s Group Ltd (ASX:FGL) have soared today following the beverages group announcing it has rejected an unsolicited proposal to purchase the wine assets of Treasury Wine Estates for between $2.3 billion and $2.7 billion.
Cape Lambert Resources Ltd (ASX:CFE) is suing Metallurgical Corp of China to recover a final $80 million from the sale of its flagship Cape Lambert iron ore project.
In the best and worst performers: Most sectors closed in the red today. The best performing sector at close was the Telco Services with the index up 5 points at 989. The worst performing sector at close was the Financials excluding Real Estate Investment Trusts sector with the index down 63 points at 5,016.
The best performing stock in the S&P/ ASX200 was Sundance Resources shares were 19.35% higher at $0.185. Shares in Carnarvon and St. Barbara also closed higher. The worst performing stock was Energy World Corporation with shares falling 5.75% to close at $0.41. Shares in Sonic Healthcare and Platinum Australia also closed weaker.
In commodities, gold is trading at $1259 US an ounce. And light crude is down $0.17 at $73.92 US a barrel.
