ASX Market Close: Retail sales slower than expected as bourse pulls back | January 9, 2025

The ASX200 closed down 0.24% at 8,329 points, breaking a five-day rally.

Australian retail sales rose slower than expected in November, growing 0.8% month over month in November, up from 0.5% growth in the prior quarter.

To the boards and it was a bloodbath today, with nearly all Aussie sectors going backwards. The Industrials sector was the biggest loser, down 0.9%, followed by Staples, down 0.8% and IT, down 0.45%. Utilities was the only sector substantialliy in the green, up 0.67%.

In the Green

Catalyst Metals (ASX:CYL) finished the session up 6.37% on release of its quarterly update. The report revealed the company’s Plutonic and Henty operations delivered another consistent performance.

Catalyst Metals closed at $2.84.

Bellevue Gold (ASX:BGL) closed up 1.89% after bargain hunters snapped up the stock on the back of a sell-off earlier in the week. The company revised its production guidance downward at the start of the week.

Bellevue Gold closed at $1.08.

Northern Star Resources (ASX:NST) closed up 2.93% on an increase in the gold price overnight. Gold has been trading at US$2,660 per ounce.

Northern Star wrapped up at $16.53.

In the Red

Westgold Resources (ASX:WGX) has closed down 13.65% after the release of its quarterly report today. Investors reacted with disappointment and now seem to doubt the company will hit its production guidance.

Westgold Resources finished the session at $2.53.

Avita Medical (ASX:AVH) shed another 13.1% after downgrading its FY24 guidance. The company says commercial revenue is expected to be approximately US$64.3 million for FY 2024; compared to guidance of US$68M to US$70M.

Avita Medical called it quits at $3.05.

Lovisa (ASX:LOV) closed down 10.5% after being downgraded by UBS to a “sell” with a price target of $27. The broker highlighted the jewellery retailer’s modest rate of store growth in recent years.

Lovisa closed at $26.75.