Aus shares open lower
Following soft leads, the Australian share market opened lower and is 0.09 per cent down at noon.
Figures
The S&P/ASX 200 index is 4 points down at 5,406. On the futures market the SPI is 10 points lower.
Company news
Centaurus Metals Limited
(ASX:CTM) has raised $5 million through a share placement to advance iron ore projects in Brazil. The mining company was backed by major shareholders; Atlas Iron Limited and Liberty Metals & Mining Holdings. Funds will also support diamond drilling and development plans for the Candonga project. Shares in Centaurus Metals are in a trading halt and were last trading at $0.14.
Mastermyne Group Limited
(ASX:MYE) has been awarded the Moranbah Region Umbrella Contract with Anglo American Metallurgical Coal Pty Ltd. The project is focussed on the installation of ventilation structures and conveyor belt installations and recovery. The contract will replace the existing umbrella contract at the Moranbah North Mine which will expire on the 6th April 2014. Shares in Mastermyne Group are trading 2.7 per cent higher at $0.57.
Best and worst performers The best performing sector is utilities gaining 28 points to 5,535. Shares in SP AusNet
(ASX:SPN) have risen 0.96 per cent and trading at $1.32. Shares in AGL Energy Limited
(ASX:AGK) and DUET Group
(ASX:DUE) are also stronger.
The worst performing sector is telco services, falling 6 points to 1,778. Shares in M2 Group Limited
(ASX:MTU) have fallen 1.34 per cent, trading at $5.88. Shares in TPG Telecom Limited
(ASX:TPM) and Telstra Corporation Limited
(ASX:TLS) are also lower.
Gold and the dollar
Gold is trading at $US1,285 an ounce.
The Australian dollar is buying $US0.9242.
