The S&P / ASX 200 Index (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) rose for the fourth day in a row, adding 0.3%, to close at 4,571.1, its highest level in 15-months, despite weak leads from Wall Street overnight. The index posted a rise of 1.9% for the week. Information technology and telecommunications were the best performing sectors today, while financials and healthcare both ended in the red.
Amongst the top 50 stocks, these were the worst three performers.
National Australia Bank (ASX: NAB) down 2.7% to end at $26.22, after the bank increased its bad-debt provisions by $250 million, amid warnings that a slowing Australian economy and ongoing issues in the UK could have an impact on earnings. That's despite reporting cash earnings of $1.4 billion for the fourth quarter. Here at the Motley Fool, we've have been warning investors of risks to our major banks, including low credit growth.
Westfield Retail Trust (ASX: WRT) fell 1.7%, or 5 cents to close at $2.98. That's possibly due to investors switching from safe, defensive assets, like property trusts – or A-REITs as they are now known, into riskier assets such as resources and cyclical stocks. With WRT paying a distribution yield of just 4.2% – less than a bank deposit – the company doesn't appear to offer a competitive income stream that investors can find in other assets.
Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) lost 1.6% to end at $27.51, after the price of gold fell US$1.95 overnight to US$1,741 an ounce. The company also announced yesterday that it would produce between 2.3 million and 2.5 million ounces of gold this year, despite gold production falling to its lowest quarterly production levels in two and half years. Problems at several of its mining sites during the quarter affected output.
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Motley Fool writer/analyst Mike King doesn't own shares in any companies mentioned. The Motley Fool's purpose is to help the world invest, better. Take Stock is The Motley Fool's free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead. Click here now to request your free subscription, whilst it's still available. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.
