Local investors are enjoying a very strong end to the week with the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX:XJO) climbing 0.81% to 5,711 points.
Every sector, with the exception of gold, is trading in positive territory and the mood has really been helped by positive offshore leads.
Unfortunately, a number of shares have missed out on today's gains including:
REA Group Limited (ASX: REA)
Shares of REA Group have fallen more than 2% today after the company released its first-half results. Despite suffering a sharp fall in domestic listings over the half the online classifieds business still managed to increase revenues and profits by 16% and 6%, respectively. REA Group also increased its interim dividend by 11% to 40 cents per share.
Henderson Group plc (ASX: HGG)
Shares of Henderson Group are trading 2.5% lower today following the release of its first-half results. Unsurprisingly, the UK-based fund manager has been hit hard by the uncertainty created by Brexit and this has seen underlying earnings per share fall by 12%. On a more positive note, its merger with Janus Capital is proceeding as planned and is expected to be finalised by May.
Yowie Group Ltd (ASX: YOW)
Shares of Yowie have plunged more than 11.2% today after the confectionery company downgraded its full-year sales growth target. The company was expected to double sales in FY17, but now anticipates growth of between 85% to 90% due to delays in expected fourth quarter shipments and the launch of some products. Yowie has moved to appease shareholder concerns by noting that sales of its branded products remain on track in the very important US market.
Blackham Resources Ltd (ASX: BLK)
After resuming trade following a two-day trading halt, Blackham Resources shares have plunged more than 12% to 73 cents. It comes after the gold company announced today that it had successfully raised $35 million via a private placement to fast track the expansion of its Matilda/Wiluna gold operations. More than 51 million new shares will be issued at a price of 68 cents per share. Interestingly, this is a quite a substantial discount to its last closing price of 83 cents.
