The Australian share market sank to session lows and closed 0.4 per cent lower today despite gaining ground over the week. A stronger iron ore price helped the mining sector over the week and the boarder bourse was supported by mostly positive global economic data. While the local economic calendar was subdued over the week the following week will heat up with a series of economic indicators. The Reserve Bank of Australia is again expected to keep rates on hold at its monthly board meeting on Tuesday. China’s official read on manufacturing activity will also be released on Tuesday and the European Central Bank (ECB) will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday.
Figures
The S&P/ASX 200 index lost 19 points today, trimming the weekly gain of 26 points to finish at 5,445.
The value of trades was $617 billion on volume of 808 million shares at the close of trade.
The top three stocks by value were Commonwealth Bank of Australia
(ASX:CBA), Rio Tinto Limited
(ASX:RIO) and National Australia Bank Limited
(ASX:NAB).
On the futures market the SPI is 10 points lower.
Wall Street
US indexes have traded mixed over the four trading days this week: The Dow Jones Industrial Average has lost 75 points. The S&P 500 Index has lost 2 points. The NASDAQ has added 20 points. The 100 Index has added 26 points.
Company news
Shares in Tatts Group Limited
(ASX:TTS) gained after it scored a win in the Supreme Court of Victoria and an extension to its Queensland wagering licence exclusivity. The lottery company will now receive $451 million plus interest in compensation from the Victorian government and separately pay the Queensland government to extend exclusivity. Shares in Tatts Group gained 2.88 per cent today to end the week at $3.21.
Shares in Tabcorp Holdings Limited
(ASX:TAH) fell after it lost its case in the Victorian Supreme Court claiming $686 million of compensation. The gaming company believes it was entitled to damages from the state government after new licences saw it lose its gambling duopoly with Tatts Group Limited
(ASX:TTS). Shares in Tabcorp Holdings fell 5.56 per cent today to end the week at $3.40.
Fairfax Media Limited
(ASX:FXJ) and APN News and Media Limited
(ASX:APN) have stuck a printing deal in Aukland. Under the agreement APN will provide printing services to Fairfax in New Zealand for several newspapers.
WestSide Corporation Limited
(ASX:WCL) has told its shareholders to take no action concerning Landbridge Group’s $178 million takeover offer. The gas explorer's board has rejected the bid on the same day its suitor declared the offer final.
Best and worst performers
Most sectors closed in negative territory: The best performing sector was telco services, adding 8.5 points to close at 1,831.
The worst performing sector was consumer staples, losing 73 points to close at 9,831 points.
The best performing stock in the S&P/ASX 200 was Lynas Corporation Limited
(ASX:LYC), rising 3.7 per cent to close at $0.14. Shares in Paladin Energy Limited
(ASX:PDN) and Scentre Group
(ASX:SCG) also closed higher.
The worst performing stock was Metcash Limited
(ASX:MTS), dropping 5.61 per cent to close at $2.69. Shares in Tabcorp Holdings Limited
(ASX:TAH) and Virtus Health Limited
(ASX:VRT) also closed lower.
IPOs
Asaleo Care Limited
(ASX:AHY) started trading today. The personal hygiene products manufacturer listed with an issue price of $1.65, opened at $1.71 and closed at $1.65.
Commodities
The price of gold is trading at $US1,319.82 an ounce, up $7.32 over the week.
Light crude is $0.66 lower at $US105.84 a barrel.
Currencies
The Australian dollar is buying $0.9438, slightly higher over the week.
