The ASX200 closed down .8 of a per cent to a new 100-day low.
Energy took the biggest hit – losing three per cent and materials wasn’t much better, shedding 2.3 per cent – while healthcare bucked the trend, adding 1.5 per cent.
In the green
Wildcat Resources (ASX:WC8) was up more than 26 per cent amid rumours that Mineral Resources is eyeing a bigger stake in the company. Wildcat also released more assay results from its drilling program at the Tabba Tabba lithium project in the Pilbara.
WC8 closed the day at 58 cents.
Australian winemaking and distribution company Treasury Wine Estates (ASX:TWE) was up 1.3 per cent after endorsing the Government’s move to fast-track a review into tariffs on wine exported to China.
Treasury Wines says removal of tariffs would be ONLY positive for the company.
TWE closed at $11.93.
Drug developer Immutep (ASX:IMM) added nearly 20 per cent after its phase two combination trial using Efti and Keytruda showed “excellent overall survival benefits in patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer”.
The company claims the results marked the “strongest ever” data delivered in its phase two dual immuno-oncology clinical trial, paving the way for a phase three trial next year.
IMM closed the day at 33 cents.
In the red
Mining giant South32 (ASX:S32) dropped nearly three per cent on the release of its quarterly report – which revealed a higher-than-expected 18 per cent fall in its first-quarter metallurgical coal production, mainly due to disruptions at its flagship Illawarra operations in New South Wales.
The company’s net debt rose from A$299 million to A$782 million due to working capital requirements, an increase in high-value aluminium inventory and lower commodity prices.
S32 closed at $3.27.
Lithium miner Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS) took a 7.25 per cent dive today in the lead-up to the release of its quarterly report later in the week (Thursday). Lithium prices have been down and Goldman Sachs predicts the company’s costs will be up.
Pilbara Minerals closed trade at $3.58.
And, health tech company Microba Life Sciences (ASX:MAP) lost more than 32 per cent on news it’s raising $20 million through a fully underwritten entitlement offer to fund the acquisition of Invivo Clinical – a leader in UK microbiome testing.
The offer price of 23 cents was a 28 per cent discount to the company’s last closing price of 32 cents.
$12.3 million has been chipped in by institutions, including major investor Sonic Healthcare and the retail offering will open on Thursday.
MAP dropped down below that raise price to close at 21.5 cents.