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The ASX200 closed .7 of a per cent up.
Today’s top performing sectors were real estate and utilities, followed by financials.
Consumer staples and industrials both finished off in the red.
In the green
Qantas Airways (ASX:QAN) was closed flat after finalising an agreement with the ACCC to resolve court proceedings related to its flight cancelations and misleading allegations.
Qantas admitted advertising flights for already cancelled ones and has now agreed to pay $20 million in payments to customers and a $100 million penalty for misleading consumers.
Customers who have had flights cancelled could receive up to $450 back from the company.
QAN closed at $5.88.
Westpac Bank (ASX:WBC) soared up more than 2.5% after declaring a fully franked 15 cent special dividend in a move that appears designed to quell concerns over profits.
Westpac has blamed mortgage competition for pushing down profits 16% compared to the first half of the 2023 financial year.
WBC closed at $27.14.
Mantle Minerals (ASX:MTL) shot up more than 33% on news it’s kicking off a 122-hole drill run at its Mt Berghaus project in Western Australia.
The necessary heritage and program of work approvals have already been received for drilling.
MTL closed at 0.2 cents.
In the red
Global tourism operator Tourism Holdings Rentals (ASX:THL) was down more than 36% after downgrading its earnings guidance for FY2024.
It now expects its NPAT to be between NZD$50-53 million, down from the earlier guidance set in February at around NZD$75 million.
It cites a weaker economy is to blame.
THL closed at $1.66.
Grain exporter Graincorp (ASX:GNC) was down more than 3.5% also after downgrading its earnings guidance for FY2024.
Graincorp now expects its underlying EBITDA to be in the range of $250-280 million – whilst the initial expectation was between $270 and 310 million.
Its net profit after tax is now expected between $60-80 million, down from the previous guidance of $65-95 million.
GNC closed at $8.05.
And Spark New Zealand (ASX:SPK) shed more than 4% also after reducing its guidance for the full 2024 financial year, noting weaker demand for its services.
The company now expects to make no more than $1.2 billion – which was the lowest end of its previous guidance.
SPK closed at $4.07.
