The S&P/ASX 200 index has followed the lead of U.S. markets and looks set to start the month in the red. At lunch the index is down 0.15% to 6,804 points.
Here's what has been happening on the market today:
Janus Henderson shares crushed.
The Janus Henderson Group PLC (ASX: JHG) share price has been crushed and is down 9.5% at lunch. Investors have been hitting the sell button in a hurry today after the fund manager's second quarter update disappointed the market. Janus Henderson reported net income of US$109.4 million in the second quarter and US$229.7 million in the first half. The latter was a 22% decline on the prior corresponding period.
Tech shares slide.
A number of Australian tech shares including Altium Limited (ASX: ALU) and Appen Ltd (ASX: APX) have come under pressure on Thursday. At lunch their shares are down around 1.5% each after the technology-focused Nasdaq index tumbled 1.2% lower overnight. The S&P/ASX 200 Info Tech index is down 0.3% at the time of writing.
Resolute shares sink on acquisition news.
The Resolute Mining Limited (ASX: RSG) share price has sunk 8% after the gold miner announced a binding agreement to acquire Toro Gold for US$274 million. Investors have responded negatively to the acquisition of the West Africa-based miner despite management expecting it to lift its production and lower its costs. Also weighing on its shares today has been a sizeable pull-back in the gold price overnight.
Bank shares rise.
The majority of Australia's big four banks have defied the market decline today and pushed higher following news that the Federal Reserve has cut rates but is likely to hold back on further cuts. At lunch three of the four banks are pushing higher, with the National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) share price the best performer in the group with a gain of 0.85%. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares are the exception and down 0.2% at the time of writing.
Best and worst performers.
The best performer on the ASX 200 index at lunch on Thursday has been the Nufarm Limited (ASX: NUF) share price with a gain of 4%. Its shares have charged higher thanks to the release of a better than expected trading update this morning. The worst performer has been the Janus Henderson share price, which is down 9.5% at lunch following its weak second quarter update.
