The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) finished 0.7% higher on Friday, however it was down 13% this week in another painful week.
Investors continue to worry about the economic fallout of the coronavirus outbreak across the world.
Plenty of business announcements today related to the infection impact on their guidance:
More businesses make COVID-19 announcements
The Credit Corp Group Limited (ASX: CCP) fell 2.8% after withdrawing guidance.
The Sims Ltd (ASX: SGM) share price dropped 0.3% after withdrawing guidance.
The Scentre Group (ASX: SCG) share price increased by 7.7% after providing an update.
The Air New Zealand Limited (ASX: AIZ) share price fell 36.3% after cancelling its dividend and entering into a debt funding agreement with the New Zealand Government.
The FlexiGroup Limited (ASX: FXL) share price rose 1.7% after providing a business update.
The Sonic Healthcare Limited (ASX: SHL) share price dropped 12.6% after withdrawing its guidance.
Big hitters give updates
Telco Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) gave an update saying that it wouldn't announce any more job losses in this period and that it was bringing forward some investments to help the economy. The Telstra share price went 6% lower.
Retail giant Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) also gave an update with performance generally meeting expectations so far. It said its balance sheet remains in good condition after the sale of the Coles Group Limited (ASX: COL) shares.
Premier Investments Limited (ASX: PMV) reports
One of the ASX's best retail shares announced its half-year result today.
It said that net profit after tax (NPAT) grew by 12.2% to $99.6 million with its retail earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) growing by 10.7% to $126.1 million. Apparel brands like for like sales growth was 7.5%.
The company declared a record interim dividend of 34 cents per share. Its net cash generated (operating cash less investing activities) increased by 41% to $133 million.
