Here are four big stories you may have missed that affected the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX:XJO) this week:
Out-of-cycle interest hikes continue
The National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) rate halt was short-lived with the big four bank saying it could no longer withhold increasing interest rates again because of funding pressures.
NAB decided to increase the interest rate by 0.16% per annum for most types of borrowers.
This should be a boost to the bottom line, but it won't help homeowners or investors to afford their huge pile of debt.
Disappointing healthcare result
Sleepy apnea business ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD) unveiled its second quarter result to investors this week, which sadly disappointed investors sending the share price down by 12% on Friday.
The healthcare business missed analyst expectations by 3%, management will be hoping that non-America sales can start growing at a good pace soon.
Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF) facing challenges
The retirement income business disappointed shareholders this week when it said profit this half-year and for the full-year would be less than previously expected.
Falling asset prices have hurt the asset manager's balance sheet and fee earnings.
However, despite the negativity I plan to hold my Challenger shares for many years to come.
Coles Group Limited (ASX: COL) announces automated warehouse price
We've known about the automated warehouses that Coles plans to build for a while, but this week the supermarket giant said how much it will actually cost.
The two WITRON automated warehouses, one in Queensland and one in New South Wales, will cost a total of $950 million over six years.
