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The ASX200 closed the day down more than a per cent with red flags littering the landscape.
Consumer discretionary was burdensome. The sector finished off down more than 2.5%. Energy managed to surface in the green – but only by .56 of a per cent.
In the green
Despite most sectors finishing in the red, energy gained more than half a per cent – with Santos (ASX:STO) up nearly a per cent and Woodside Energy Group (ASX:WDS) up .79 of a per cent.
Commercial explosives company Orica (ASX:ORI) shot up more than half a per cent on its half year results.
It reported a statutory NPAT of $337.5 million for the six month – up from 122.6% the previous year. Its EBITDA was also up 10% on the previous corresponding period.
ORI closed at $18.40.
In the red
Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX:CBA) was down 2% after reporting a fall of 3% in its profit to $2.4 billion for the March quarter compared to the first half of the 2024 Financial Year.
Compared to the same quarter last year, profits were down 5%.
The bank’s operating performance was also tracking weaker, down 3% from the first half of 2024’s quarterly average.
CBA closed at $117.09.
Property advertising business REA Group (ASX:REA) was initially up on its March quarter results. The company saw a 24% jump in revenue to $334 million.
Its EBITDA was also up 30% for the quarter.
REA ultimately closed 0.16% down at $184.70.
News Corporation (ASX:NWS) was also down more than 3% also on its quarterly update.
The media giant reported a drop in net income for the quarter to $42 million – compared to $59 million the previous year.
NWS closed at $37.31.
JB Hi-Fi (ASX:JBH) lost nearly 5% after posting a sales update.
The retailer’s sales for the March quarter were down for both JB HI-FI Australia and The Good Guys.
The company cited a challenging and competitive retail market.
JBH closed at $57.55.
