The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) dropped by around 0.3% to 7,143 points.
Here are some of the highlights from the ASX:
Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC)
The Nine share price went up around 0.7% today after announcing a media deal.
Nine has signed agreements with Facebook and Google, following the Federal Government's enacting of the 'News Media Bargaining Code'.
The deal with Facebook is for the supply of news video clips and access to digital news articles on Facebook news products, for a term of up to three years with a minimum amount payable over the term.
The 5-year agreement with Google includes the supply of news content (excluding video) for Google's News Showcase and other news products. Google will also expand its marketing initiatives across Nine's platforms.
Nine said in terms of guidance regarding these agreements, as well as the termination of Google's previous sales agreement, and the ongoing growth in subscription revenue for Nine's key mastheads, it expects growth in the publishing division earnings, before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) in FY22 (over FY21) in the range of $30 million to $40 million.
Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP)
The real estate investment trust (REIT) announced external revaluations for its 61 investment properties as it 30 June 2021.
The ASX 200 share's total portfolio increased to $2.9 billion. On a like for like basis, the portfolio valuation increased by $285 million, or 11%, from prior book values.
That brought the pro forma net tangible assets (NTA) to $3.85 per unit, an increase of 16% from $3.33.
Jesse Curtis, the fund manager of Centuria Industrial REIT, said:
Strong sector tailwinds continue to provide long-term benefits to industrial real estate with e-commerce and onshoring increasing demand for quality industrial accommodation. CIP is a beneficiary of the buoyant tenant market with a number of assets delivering valuation gains on the back of strategic leasing. Over the course of FY21, CIP has leased approximately 196,000m2 demonstrating the increased tenant demand for industrial space, which is expected to continue given limited future land supply in in-fill markets.
WISR Ltd (ASX: WZR)
The business announced it had originated $77.1 million of new loans in the first two months of the fourth quarter of FY21. Wisr said it's getting close to its 20th consecutive quarter of growth.
It also said that its inaugural $225 million asset-backed securities 'ABS' transaction, the Wisr Freedom Trust 2021-1, has reached settlement, delivering a material reduction in Wisr's cost of funds.
Wisr CEO Mr Anthony Nantes said:
It's fantastic to see the continuation of our loan origination momentum. Our growth to date has us in prime position to aggressively grow market-show, as we scale towards our medium-term target of a $1 billion loan book. We're delivering a clear competitive advantage through a superior alternative model that actually improves financial wellness, going far beyond the traditional lending experience to attract Australia's most creditworthy customers.
