The ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) was eventful again this week. Here are four big stories you may have missed that affected the ASX 200 index:
Inflation below expectations
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the change in inflation was 0% in the March 2019 quarter.
Many economists now believe that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is very likely to cut its interest rate over the next few months. This might be bad news for savers who rely on bank account interest from Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC).
Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) disappoints
The travel agent business issued a profit warning for the upcoming FY19 result stating that the Australian leisure division was tracking below what management had previously provided guidance for.
The underlying profit before tax (PBT) for this year is now likely to be in an expected range of between $335 million and $360 million compared to the guidance previously given of $390 million to $420 million.
Bellamy's Australia Ltd (ASX: BAL) rises again
Bellamy's had a great week with the share price rising by 17%. The catalyst for the pleasing growth was the announcement that it had received approval from the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) in China for its new branded formula series.
This wasn't the main application that remains ongoing, but it did reassure investors somewhat about the prospects of Bellamy's organic series application.
Is a National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) dividend cut on the cards?
The big ASX bank has been facing an array of troubles over the past year, but shareholders may soon be facing a cut to their dividend according to UBS analysts.
The analysts think that the dividend cut will go to 90 cents per share, or even 85 cents per share if the housing downturn worsens. The cut looks a bit more likely with the large remediation charge NAB just announced.
