The ASX200 closed flat despite futures having tipped a moderate green day on market as investors endeavoured to digest the Australian CPI report.
Core inflation has declined by 0.1 per cent from 4.2 to 4.1 per cent – and while that’s heading in the right direction, it was not by as much as many had hoped.
In this bulletin, we’ll look at news from DroneShield, NextDC, Electro Optic Systems Holdings, Flight Centre Travel Group, Neuren Pharmaceuticals, and Kelsian.
In the green
Defence firm DroneShield (ASX:DRO) gained more than 20 per cent as it announced it had entered profitability in FY23, with $9.3 million after-tax profit.
Droneshield saw its revenue increase three times to $55.1 million.
DRO closed at 93 cents.
Australian data giant NextDC (ASX:NXT) added more than 13 per cent on its half year results.
It reported a 31 per cent rise in revenue to $209.1 million.
As for its FY24 guidance, NextDC’s management says it expects record contract wins with total revenue of between $400 and 415 million.
NXT closed at $17.15.
And Australian tech company Electro Optic Systems Holdings (ASX:EOS) was up about 17.5 per cent after posting a nearly 60 per cent (59 per cent) increase in its revenue in its half-yearly.
While it reported a loss of $34.1 million for FY23, that was $19.5 million better than for FY22. It’s underlying EBITDA was in the positive by $5.7 million.
EOS closed at $1.88.
In the red
Flight Centre Travel Group (ASX:FLT) shed nearly four per cent – and seems to have missed analyst expectations – despite declaring it’s on track for its second-best year on record.
At $1.287 billion, its revenue was 28.5 per cent higher in comparison to the previous corresponding period.
Its underlying post-tax profit post-tax was up nearly 740 per cent to $74.38 million.
Despite the outcome, FLT closed down at $20.89.
Another story trending on HotCopper today was biopharmaceutical giant Neuren Pharmaceuticals (ASX:NEU) – as it headed down more than 10 per cent.
Fourth quarter sales of its flagship Rett Syndrome drug DAYBUE were US$87.1 million. Sales of the drug only began in April. Neuren updated guidance for FY24 of between $370 million and $420 million.
NEU closed the trading day at $19.15.
And transport and tourism services firm Kelsian (ASX:KLS) lost about 12 per cent on its half-yearly results.
The company’s revenue was up nearly 45 per cent to $982.7 million.
It is, however, expecting its CAPEX to reach $88 million in the second half of FY24 – compared with $56.1 million in the first half. Kelsian also cited higher labour costs due to labour availability challenges and increased overtime.
KLS closed at $5.80.