Live ASX News Today
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17th Aug 05:56 PM AEST
FDA approves to amend AVITA Medical’s (ASX:AVH) clinical studies featuring the RECELL® System
AVITA Medical Inc. (ASX:AVH) has announced that the Company has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for amending its pivotal clinical trial evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the RECELL® System.
Key highlights:
- The study of the RECELL® System will help the Company to evaluate its safety and effectiveness in treating vitiligo.
- The RECELL® System is supposed to be used for the repigmentation of stable vitiligo lesions to a streamlined single-arm trial design.
- The data from previous research efforts suggested the improbability of meaningful clinical performance differences amongst the three cell suspensions in the initial pivotal clinical trial design. This is the reason why the Company wanted to pursue a single cell suspension formulation (1:20 expansion ratio).
AVH stock closed at AU$4.650 per share, down 1.484% today.
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17th Aug 05:47 PM AEST
Gold 50 (ASX:G50) triples land package at Golconda project
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ASX-listed precious metals exploration firm Gold 50 Limited (ASX:G50) announced today that it has nearly tripled the area of its Golconda Project from 8.8 kmsq to 24 kmsq. The Company stated that the expansion in its property holdings in Arizona has been achieved by staking fresh mining claim on federal (Bureau of Land Management) land.
The announcement revealed that the expansion of the Golconda Project to the north and southwest was driven by a detailed review of the regional geology alongside the historical exploration database compiled by Gold 50 and with the help of cutting-edge multispectral alteration data, which highlighted the district-scale exploration potential. The new claims to the north are around the extension of the Bronco Dike, one of three priority exploration areas identified by Gold 50.
Golconda Project in the Wallapai Mining District of Arizona is one of the flagship assets of Gold 50, where the Company has consolidated a historical mining district adjacent to a major copper-molybdenum porphyry deposit and popularly known for its extensive mineralised veins including unusually high precious metals grades.
Gold 50 is inspecting a portfolio of good-quality gold projects - Top Gun, Spitfire, Broken Hills and Caisson - along the Walker Lane Trend of Nevada, a prolific yet comparatively underexplored region that stands out for its extraordinary high gold grades and increasing reserves.
Gold 50 got listed on the ASX on 6 August this year. The shares of the stock closed 6.897% lower at AU$0.270 per share today.
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17th Aug 05:15 PM AEST
HSC Technology (ASX:HSC) partners with VitalCALL/Chubb
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ASX-listed HSC Technology Group Ltd (ASX:HSC) shared via an announcement that it has entered into an agreement with VitalCALL/Chubb to supply next generation assistive technology solutions to the domestic client base of VitalCALL clients.
VitalCALL is Australia’s original provider of 24*7 personal emergency response alarms. Trading in Australia for more than 40 years, the company is one of the largest providers of personal emergency Response Systems (PERs) in the country.
The commercial terms of the contract include the supply of assistive technology (PERs) and HSC’s TALIUS Platform (Services) to the existing and future clients of VitalCALL in the retirement living, independent living and community cares sectors.
The initial term of the agreement is three years with an option exercisable by either party to renew for a further twelve months. There are no other material conditions, that need to be satisfied before the contract becomes legally binding. Since, there are no minimum order commitments stipulated by the agreement it is not possible to quantify the value of the agreement over its life.
The HSC assistive technology platforms allow seniors and differently abled people to live independently through ‘Ageing in Place’ solutions, via the use of data analysis, as well as human monitoring, to determine residents’ routines and detect anomalies. These early insights allow for better decision-making by care providers and families, allowing more focused service, reducing unnecessary care and facilitating welfare checks in a more responsive manner.
Shares of HSC closed at AU$0.017 per share today.
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17th Aug 04:50 PM AEST
ASX ends 1% lower; bank, energy, mining stocks weigh
Australian shares ended lower for the second consecutive session on Tuesday as rising COVID-19 cases sparked fears of slowing economic growth. Adding to it, mixed corporate earnings and muted global cues also spurred a risk-off sentiment in the market, prompting investors to move towards defensive stocks. Shares of real estate investment trusts Dexus and Charter Hall, energy firm Santos, financial company Magellan, Shopping Centres Australasia, SG Fleet and Sims as well as kitchen appliance maker Breville ended lower after reporting earnings numbers.
The ASX200 dropped 71.50 points or 0.94% to close at 7,511, led by sell-off in blue-chip bank, energy and mining stocks. During the day’s trade, the index fell as much as 1.2% to slip below psychological mark of 7,500 levels.
The equity market witnessed broad-based sell-off as eight of 11 sectoral indices ended in red. The financial sector fell the most and settled with 1.7% loss, followed by material, which dropped 1.2%. Among others, energy and utilities sectors also ended nearly 1% lower.
Bucking the trend, health care sector emerged as biggest gainer by rising 0.4%. It was followed by telecom and consumer staples index, which ended marginally higher.
Among the individual stocks, investment management firm Magellan Financial Group (ASX:MFG) declined the most, falling 9.5%. Some of the other worst performers were Breville Group (ASX: BRG), mining firm Lynas Rare Earths (ASX: LYC), miner Pilbara Minerals (ASX: PLS) and oil producer Beach Energy (ASX: BPT).
Meanwhile, general insurance broker Steadfast Group (ASX:SDF) topped the gainers list by rising 4.7%. Some of the other notable gainers were health care firm Fisher and Paykel Healthcare (ASX: FPH), property firm Domain Holdings (ASX: DHG), Treasury Wine Estates (ASX: TWE) and new and used car seller Carsales.com (ASX: CAR).
In the banking space, all big four lenders - Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX:WBC), Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX:ANZ), National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX:CBA) - ended lower.
In energy sector, index heavyweights Woodside Petroleum (ASX:WPL), Beach Energy (ASX:BPT) and Oil Search (ASX:OSH) and Santos (ASX:STO) declined, owing to fall in crude price. Crude oil prices dropped amid uncertainty over demand due to spike in COVID-19 cases.
In the material space, index heavyweights BHP Group (ASX: BHP), Rio Tinto Group (RIO), Fortescue Metals Group (ASX:FMG) and Pilbara Minerals (ASX: PLS) closed in red. The fall in mining stocks was attributed to drop in iron ore prices.
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17th Aug 04:49 PM AEST
Dropsuite (ASX:DSE) falls on share placement
Shares of cloud-based software maker Dropsuite Limited (ASX:DSE) closed 8.5% lower at AU$0.215, their lowest since 23 July 2021.
The stock posted its biggest intraday percentage fall since 22 July 2021.
The Company said it has received binding commitments to place 95.2 million new ordinary shares at AU$0.21 per share to raise AU$20 million.
The funds generated will be used to support the Company’s growth opportunities and improve its leading position in the backup and recovery world.
The placement price is at 10.6% discount to last close price of AU$0.235, as on 12 August and the placement represents 23.2% of the 411 million shares on free float.
As per the ASX, 5,055,504 shares were traded today.
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17th Aug 03:47 PM AEST
Money3 Corp (ASX:MNY) hits record high on strong earnings
Money3 Corporation Limited (ASX:MNY), on Tuesday, shared that it has had a record-breaking year. The share price of the stock jumped as much as 6.8% to AU$3.62, a record high.
Key highlights:
- The non-banking credit services provider stated that FY21 profit from continuous operations after tax attributable rose 76.6% from a year earlier to AU$39.2 million.
- MNY has declared final dividend of 7 Australian cents per share, up from the 3 Australian cents per share paid in H1.
- The Company has also posted annual revenue from continuous operations of AU$145.1 million, up 17% from a year ago.
- Loan book growth of 38.5% to AU$601 million from AU$433 million, giving a robust base for further revenue and profit hike.
- A 64.8% rise in EBITDA to AU$80.9 million.
MNY stock was trading 2.654% higher at AU$3.480 per share at 3:34 PM AEST.
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17th Aug 01:34 PM AEST
Breville (ASX:BRG) posts revenue growth of 24.7% in year ended 30 June 2021
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ASX-listed global kitchen appliance maker Breville Group (ASX:BRG) shared its financial results for the year ended 30 June 2021 on Tuesday as per which, the Company has recorded a revenue growth of 24.7%.
The other key takeaways from the results announcement are:
- Company’s Global Product revenue grew 37%;
- EBIT increased 39.6%;
- Net Profit After Tax grew 42.3%;
- Record sales of nearly AU$1.2 billion;
- Full year dividend of 26.5 cents per share;
- The Group’s total working capital position stands at AU$160.2 million, flat, when compared to AU$161.9 million last year.
- Net cash as on 30 June 2021 stands at AU$129.9 million, also flat, as compared to pcp AU$128.5 million.
Meanwhile, the share price of the stock was 8.336% lower at AU$30.570 per share at 1:20 PM AEST.
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17th Aug 01:02 PM AEST
Nickel prices boosted by strong demand and tight supplies
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Nickel prices rose above US$19,700 per tonne, a level last seen in September 2014, on the back of strong demand from the stainless-steel sector.
- The prices were additionally buoyed by the strong demand for metal in the electric vehicle manufacturing industry amid tight supplies.
- China's refined nickel output from January to July tumbled 15.7% y-o-y to 91,723 tonnes, as per the data released by the state-backed research house – Antaike.
- The output in the July month alone fell by 13.4% relative to the previous month due to an overhaul on the furnace of the top smelter - Jinchuan Group.
- Adding to that, new energy vehicle sales in China have more than doubled in July month, putting pressure on the supply side.
- The government's push to green energy and vehicles to curb greenhouse emissions has pushed electric vehicle companies to increase their manufacturing capacity, boosting demand for nickel.
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17th Aug 12:53 PM AEST
ASX nosedives 0.8%; Breville, Santos, Dexus fall post earnings
Australian shares were trading near day’s low by the afternoon amid broad-based sell-off. The market witnessed stock specific movement with investors reacting to earnings numbers, while persistent concerns over rising COVID-19 cases also dampened sentiment.
The ASX 200 was currently trading 58 points or 0.76% lower at 7,524.50 by lunch. Extending previous session losses, the index opened lower today and declined as much as 0.83% to hit a low of 7,519.
Today is going to be the powerpack day yet for earnings season with as many as 18 companies are slated release their earnings report. Some of the big names include real estate investment trusts Dexus and Charter Hall, energy firm Santos, financial company Magellan, Shopping Centres Australasia, SG Fleet and Sims. Blue chip miner BHP will also release its results just post market hours.
Shares of Breville, Santos, Dexus, Sezzle, and Magellan were all trading lower after releasing their earnings this morning. BHP (ASX: BHP) was also down over 1% ahead of its earnings report this afternoon.
Moving on to the sectoral front, ten of the eleven sectors were bleeding in red. The financial sector was the worst performer with a 1.4% loss, followed by energy and material which fell over 1% each. A-REIT, utilities, information technology, consumer discretionary and health care also witnessed selling pressure.
Bucking the trend, consumer staples extended gain for the second day, trading higher with marginal gains.
On the COVID-19 front, NSW recorded 452 new locally acquired infections in the past 24 hours, while Victoria registered 24 cases. Premier Gladys Berejiklian says the case tally in NSW are likely to “rise substantially” as virus continued its spread through the state.
Among individual stocks, kitchen appliance maker Breville Group (ASX: BRG) topped the loser’s chart by falling nearly 8%. Some of the other notable losers were Magellan Financial Group (ASX:MFG), mining firm Lynas Rare Earths (ASX: LYC), oil producer Beach Energy (ASX: BPT) and mining infrastructure service provider Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN).
On the winning side, general insurance broker Steadfast Group (ASX:SDF) emerged as top performer with 4.2% gain. Some of the other gainers include health care firm Fisher and Paykel Healthcare (ASX: FPH), online retailer Kogan (ASX: KGN), new and used car seller Carsales.com (ASX: CAR) and electronics retailer JB Hi-Fi (ASX: JBH).
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17th Aug 12:35 PM AEST
Auckland International Airport (ASX:AIA) reports 197% rise in passenger volumes in June 2021
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Auckland International Airport Limited (ASX:AIA) shared the June 2021 monthly traffic update on 17 August 2021.
The Airlines reported a significant rise in passenger volumes, up 196.9% in June 2021 as compared to last year’s corresponding period. International passengers (excluding transits) were up 468.3%, and domestic passengers were up by 171.2%, while transit passengers were down 71.3%.
Key highlights from July 2021 monthly traffic update
- In July 2021, AIA sees an increase in the passenger volumes by 59.7% as compared to last year.
- There has been a significant rise in domestic travel activities. It is assumed that the rise happened due to school holidays and international passengers transferred in domestic flights.
- The overall increase in the volume of passengers has reflected the ongoing operation of trans-Tasman quarantine-free travel.
The AIA stock was spotted trading 0.292% lower at AU$6.850 per share at 12:15 PM AEST.
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17th Aug 11:55 AM AEST
Telix’s (ASX:TLX) TLX66 in Phase II Academic Study for Pediatric Leukemia
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Cancer treatment-focused pharma company Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX:TLX) shared that its ‘TLX66’ has received UK research ethics approval for Phase II academic study. TLX’s investigational product, ‘TLX66’ is helpful for children with high-risk leukemia.
The approval is received by London-based Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) for conducting academic study. The study is independently funded by a philanthropic foundation and GOSH is the sponsor. Relevant other approvals from the regulatory agency-MHRA and radioactive substances advisory committee –ARSAC, have also been received.
The Phase II study shall evaluate the safety and efficacy of ‘TLX66’ to reduce toxicity conditioning regimen in children and adolescents, undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell (HSCT) transplantation. Phase-II follows the successful completion of a Phase I study, of 1 of 10 patients with relapsed refractory leukemia. The Phase II independent trial is to enroll 25 patients for the study.
TLX shares traded 2.540% lower at AU$6.140 per share at 11:50 AM AEST.
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17th Aug 11:55 AM AEST
Openn Negotiations (ASX:OPN) signs up a partnership agreement with the Professionals
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The wholly-owned subsidiary Openn Pty Ltd, of the Australian listed Openn Negotiations Limited (ASX:OPN) has signed up a partnership agreement with the Professional Group Australia Limited.
Key highlights:
- The term of the agreement is of one year which began from 1 August 2021 and will be ending on 31 July 2022.
- The Professionals will be incentivised to utilize the Openn platform and adapt to the Openn process, upload their list their properties on the Openn platform and buy/sell properties for their clients.
- The Company has shared that it has not yet determined the incentive amount that is to be given to the Professionals.
- The agreement has also stated that either party of the agreement may end the partnership without cause with a minimum notice of 60 days in writing.
The stock traded 1.9% higher at AU$0.265 per share at 11:40 AM AEST.
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17th Aug 11:54 AM AEST
MoneyMe (ASX:MME) shares up over 6% on partnership with Platform Finance
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Licensed AI tech-based credit provider MoneyMe Limited (ASX:MME) has signed a deal with Australia’s largest asset finance aggregator, Platform Finance. With this deal, it will bring its’ Autopay vehicle finance solution to brokers.
MME and Platform Finance partnership is to reach hundreds of brokers and their clients. Platform Finance is part of the ASX-listed COG Financial Services Ltd (ASX:COG), which last financial year had reported AU$5.1 billion in asset finance origination.
MME’s Autopay car finance is to deliver brokers a competitive advantage of real-time automated approval and settlement of auto finance within 60 minutes. Autopay leverages the latest innovation in MME’s Horizon technology platform. It will be operational all seven days of the week. Use Access for brokers is to commence this month.
MME shares traded 4.020% higher at AU$2.070 per share tab at 11:30 AM AEST.
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17th Aug 11:11 AM AEST
Former L’Oreal MD to lead Live Verdure’s (ASX:LV1) ‘8 Seeds’ Skincare
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Australian plant-based food, nutraceutical, and skincare company, Live Verdure Ltd (ASX:LV1) has appointed Mark Tucker, former L’Oréal MD, to spearhead its’ ‘8 Seeds’ skincare business.
As GM of Skincare, Mark will finalise the market launch of the ‘8 Seeds’ skincare range. ‘8 Seeds’ is LV1’s dermatologically focused range of skincare products that are to be launched, both in Australia and overseas.
‘8 Seeds’ will be getting launched online and with local and overseas retailers. Mark will also work on the strategy for market launch in the Direct to Customer channel and B2B, B2C channels through LV1’s partnership with THG.
Mark has a significant experience in the FMCG and pharmacy industry. His experience covers B2B distribution, sales, and marketing, procurement, distribution, and operations. He is recognised for his achievements as MD of L’Oréal Australia, growing revenue from AU$12 million to AU$400 million.
LV1 shares were spotted trading 4.082% lower at AU$0.235 per share at 11:00 AM AEST.
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17th Aug 11:02 AM AEST
Crude oil dips on weak Chinese economic data
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Crude oil prices settled lower on Monday as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies believe that additional oil is not needed to meet market demand in the coming months.
October delivery Brent Crude oil futures traded 0.09% down at US$69.63 per barrel, whereas October delivery WTI crude oil futures traded 0.18% up at US$67.17 per barrel as of 17 August 2021 at 10:29 AM AEST.
Due to the rise in coronavirus cases, the demand outlook is unclear, and prices are volatile.
Lower-than-expected Chinese factory output and retail sales growth of July month due to the rise of COVID-19 cases also negatively impacted the oil prices.
Crude oil processing in the country also tumbled to the lowest level since May 2020 as refiners cut production due to falling profits and higher inventories.
OPEC+ agreed to increase output by 400,000 bpd starting from August to fully phase-out the production cuts.
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17th Aug 10:50 AM AEST
Battery Minerals (ASX:BAT) to sell Mozambique Graphite projects to Tirupati Graphite
Battery Minerals Limited (ASX:BAT) shared on 17 August 2021 that it will soon be selling the Mozambique Graphite projects to the London Stock Exchange listed firm Tirupati Graphite.
BAT will be receiving total aggregate consideration of AU$12.5 million, AU$11 million in shares and AU$1.5 million in cash from Tirupati Graphite.
Key highlights:
- Tirupati Graphite is listed on London Stock Exchange (LSE) in the standard segment of the mainboard with a market capitalisation of AU$183 million.
- Tirupati has agreed upon acquiring the e Montepuez and Balama Graphite Projects in Mozambique.
- Tirupati has prioritized the execution of the Montepuez graphite project.
- The Montepuez project is likely to help Tirupati in the growth of production capacities, diversify resources and product basket central to capture growing market opportunities from the green economy.
- Battery Minerals became the significant shareholder second only to the founder group Tirupati Graphite.
BAT was quoted at AU$0.015 per share at 10:50 AM AEST on the ASX.
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17th Aug 10:47 AM AEST
Dexus (ASX:DXS) shares FY21 results, NPAT up 17%
Real Estate Investment Trust Dexus (ASX:DXS) shared its FY-21 results today.
Key Highlights-
- DXS achieved a Net profit after tax (NPAT) of AU$1,138.4 million, up 17% from the prior year.
- Adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) and distribution were 51.8 cents per share, up 3%.
- Return on contributed equity (ROCE) stood at 8.3%
- DXS grew funds management business Funds under management (FUM) to AU$25.0 billion.
- FUM was achieved from a new office joint venture, securing merger approval with Dexus Wholesale Property Fund (DWPF) and the proposed acquisition of APN Property Group (APN).
Have you invested in ASX Stocks Santos, Dexus, Westpac
- It progressed in planning for city-shaping projects in its AU$14.6 billion development pipeline.
- DXS completed AU$881 million of developments, increasing the total group industrial portfolio to 2.6 million square meters.
- At DXS gearing remained low at 26.7% and AU$1.1 billion of cash and undrawn debt facilities were in hand.
- Post FY21 close, DXS obtained approval to acquire APN. It also acquired a 49% interest in Capital Square Tower 1 in Perth and agreed to fund Atlassian’s headquarters within the NSW Tech Central precinct.
DXS last shares traded 1.588% higher at AU$10.870 per share at 10:25 AM AEST.
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17th Aug 10:43 AM AEST
ASX 200 opens lower as surging cases of COVID-19 escalates fear
The Australian benchmark index has opened 0.12% or 9.4 points lower at 7,573.1 on Tuesday, despite a decent Wall Street session overnight. A steady rise in COVID-19 infections in the country's major cities is dampening investor sentiment and gripping the local markets.
The Dow Jones rose 0.31%, to 35,624.35, while the S&P 500 was up 0.26%, to 4,479.66. The NASDAQ Composite fell 0.2%, closing the session at 14,793.76.
The biggest draggers of the ASX 200 are Breville Group Limited (ASX:BRG) and Mineral Resources Limited (ASX:MIN), losing 7.48% and 5.23%, respectively.
Magellan Financial Group (ASX:MFG) has recorded a significant drop in the performance fee to AU$30.1 million in FY21 from AU$81 million a year ago. However, the management fee has increased by 8% to AU$631.4 million in FY21 as its fund management business grew in size.
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17th Aug 10:41 AM AEST
Family Zone (ASX:FZO) completes acquisition of Smoothwall
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Cloud-based parental control solutions provider, Family Zone Cyber Safety Limited (ASX:FZO) has completed the acquisition of UK’s leading digital safety solutions provider, Smoothwall.
Smoothwall is a profitable business operating in UK and US. It has around AU$30 million in annual recurring revenues and provides services to over 12,400 schools. It has a complete and complementary portfolio of mature digital safety products. One such product is the Smoothwall Monitor, which is a global leader in the rapidly expanding cyber safety segment of data analytics and monitoring.
As claimed in the ASX release by FZO, this acquisition establishes FZO as a global cyber safety company. It now has a significantly increased scale, a global market presence, and a leading portfolio of K-12 online safety products. FZO seeks to capitalise on the synergies from this acquisition to continue its global growth.
FZO was trading 0.751% higher at AU$0.670 per share at 10:20 AM AEST.
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17th Aug 10:26 AM AEST
Nuheara (ASX:NUH) to start medical device clinical trial, shares zoom up on ASX
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Nuheara Limited (ASX:NUH), which creates smart and affordable hearing solutions, announced on Tuesday that it will start a clinical trial to test the safety and effectiveness of Nuheara’s newly developed range of hearing aid products. This will support Nuheara’s planned expansion into clinically tested and regulatory approved medical devices.
Backed by the same announcement, the share price of the stock soared upto 5.8% to trade at AU$0.036 per share at 10:25 AM AEST.
Five?penny stocks on ASX that?rallied today
Nuheara has engaged National Acoustics Laboratories (NAL) under the terms of a Clinical Trial Agreement (CTA) to assist with conducting the clinical trial.
The results of the clinical trial will allow Nuheara to expand its global hearing solutions by meeting hearing aid compliance requirements initially with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Union (CE Mark) and the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
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17th Aug 10:21 AM AEST
Westpac’s (ASX:WBC) CET1 ratio in 3Q21 lowers, Bank mulls on capital return
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Australia’s second largest bank Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX:WBC) said on Tuesday it would think on returning capital to shareholders, even after it is anticipating lower margins for the second half and higher expenses for its fiscal 2021.
Key highlights from the announcement:
- The Bank has reported the CET1 (Common Equity Tier 1) ratio of 12% which was 12.3% in March 2021.
- RWA (Risk-weighted assets) is up AU$8.5 billion or 2% over 3Q21.
- Pro forma CET1 ratio is 12.5%.
- Funding and liquidity stay strong. LCR 127% and NSFR is 123%.
- Deposit to loan ratio stands at 80.2%, compared to 79.8% in March 21.
- Australian mortgages and business lending also increased at 1x system during the concerned quarter.
The Bank also notified that till 11 August 2021, AU$1.6 billion in home loan balance deferrals and AU$29.5 million in business loan balance deferrals have been approved.
Meanwhile, the last traded stock price of WBC was AU$25.790 per share on the ASX.
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17th Aug 09:57 AM AEST
Santos (ASX:STO) reports record half-year production and sales volumes
Australia’s biggest gas supplier Santos Limited (ASX:STO) shared its half-year results for 2021 and has posted a record half-year production and sales volumes, coupled with strong free cash flow and underlying earnings, followed by a higher interim dividend.
As per the release, there has been a record production of 47.3 mmboe (million barrel of oil equivalent) and record sales volumes of 53.8 mmboe, free cash flow of US$572 million and underlying profit of US$317 million.
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Santos, via its ASX announcement, explained that the results reflect higher oil prices compared to the corresponding period due to recovery in demand but were offset by lower average LNG prices due to lagged oil-linked pricing in long-term LNG offtake contracts.
The leading oil and gas Company reported a net profit after tax of US$354 million including net gains on asset sales. This is significantly higher than the corresponding period mainly due to impairments included in the previous half-year result.
Also, the Board will be paying an interim dividend of US5.5 cents per share fully franked, 162% higher than the previous interim dividend.
The last traded share price of the stock was AU$6.210 per share on the ASX.
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17th Aug 09:29 AM AEST
ASX 200 to rise after Wall Street closed higher
After a weak start to the week, the Australian share market is set to open higher on Tuesday, tracking strong cues from Wall Street despite rise in COVID-19 cases in the major cities.The ASX 200 is expected to open 9 points or 0.1% higher on Tuesday after closing 0.6% lower at 7,582.5 in the previous session. On Tuesday, 18 companies would be releasing their earnings reports including, BHP, real estate investment trusts Dexus and Charter Hall, Santos and Breville.
On Wall Street, the Dow Jones rose 0.3%, the S&P 500 climbed 0.25%, but the NASDAQ fell 0.2%.
Wall Street rebounded after Monday’s losses and two of the three major stock indices closed higher despite concerns about China's economy, the coronavirus Delta variant and turmoil in Afghanistan. The S&P 500 reported a new record high.
Meanwhile, analysts awaited Wednesday's release of minutes from the July policy meeting at the Federal Reserve. Investors would look for signals from the minutes about the Fed’s plans to start easing back its monthly debt purchase.
Demand for US Treasuries and dollar increased as investors searched for lower-risk avenues amid ongoing global uncertainty.