The Market Online - At The Bell

Join our daily newsletter At The Bell to receive exclusive market insights

The ASX200 fell sharply to a seven-week low and closed down 0.51% at 8,118 points.

Banks led the market lower and Macquarie (ASX:MQG) shed 3.6% after first half FY25 results missed estimates and disappointed investors.

Health Care was the worst performing sector, down 1.1%, followed by Financials, down 0.9%, and Discretionary, down 0.7%.

Energy was the best performing sector, up 1%, followed by Materials, up 0.2%.

In the Green

HighCom (ASX:HCL) closed up 3.03% on news of a new spare parts order worth $5.6 million from the Department of Defence.

Highcom closed at 17 cents.

Capricorn Metals (ASX:CMM) closed up 3.01% after raising $200 million through an institutional placement. The funds will be used at its Karlawinda mine expansion, as well as for a foray at Mount Gibson.

Capricorn Metals closed at $6.50.

Pointsbet (ASX:PBH) closed up 8.86% after Bell Potter issued a note retaining its hold rating but lifting its price target to 80 cents.

Pointsbet closed at 86 cents.

In the Red

Wesfarmers (ASX:WES) closed down 0.98% after yesterday’s AGM. Chairman Michael Chaney says profits are not a dirty word and today hit the airwaves to consolidate his message. Mr Chaney says businesses need to make profit to stay afloat, employ people and create work for suppliers.

Wesfarmers closed at $66.92

Tabcorp (ASX:TAH) closed down 3.19% after CEO Gillon McLachlan placed a ban on politicians and the media in the Birdcage marquee at Melbourne Cup and Derby Day.

Tabcorp closed at 45.5 cents.

AFT Pharmaceuticals (ASX: AFP) closed down 3.13% on news of an expected operating loss of just under $2 million for the six months to 30 September 2024.

Aft Pharmaceuticals closed at $2.79.

More From The Market Online
Market Close Graphic

ASX Market Close: Local bourse manages last gasp of green cheer heading into Chrissy shutdown | Dec 24, 2024

The ASX 200 ended on a positive closing note before Santa’s arrival (a fair bit) later this evening with a 0.29% gain, adding...
The Market Online Video

Expert Exchange: How to approach Christmas spending amid the cost-of-living crisis

As Christmas comes closer, it may be a good idea to revise some of our thinking…
The Market Online Video

Expert Exchange: Gold charts will remember 2024 in history. Analysts see $3K/oz in 2025

If you had any large amount of money invested in bearish bets on just about anything…
The Patterson South Lake project in Canada that Paladin Energy has just acquired.

Paladin Energy puts Christmas bow on $1.5B all-scrip Fission Uranium merger

Paladin Energy (ASX:PDN) has completed the acquisition of Fission Uranium Corp six months after