At lunch on Friday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to finish the week on a positive note. The benchmark index is currently up 0.5% to 7,521.9 points.
Here's what is happening on the ASX 200 today:
TechnologyOne's UK acquisition
The TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) share price has climbed to a record high today after announcing an acquisition. The enterprise software company has entered into an agreement to acquire Scientia Resource Management for 12 million pounds (A$22.4 million). Scientia is a United Kingdom-based technology company servicing the higher education sector.
Lithium miners charge higher
One area of the market performing particularly positively today is the lithium sector. The likes of Mineral Resources Limited (ASX: MIN) and Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) are recording solid gains despite there being no major news out either company. Investors appear increasingly bullish on the lithium sector due to rising demand for the battery making ingredient from the electric vehicle market.
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank shares fall
The Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN) share price is tumbling lower today. However, this has nothing to do with the regional bank's performance. Instead, this decline has been driven by its shares going ex-dividend this morning. Eligible shareholders can now look forward to receiving its fully franked 26.5 cents per share final dividend on 30 September.
Best and worst ASX 200 performers
The best performer on the ASX 200 on Friday has been the Mesoblast limited (ASX: MSB) share price with a 5.5% gain. Investors have been picking up shares after a sizeable decline in August. The worst performer has been the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank share price with a 3% decline after going ex-dividend this morning.
