ASX 200 midday update: NAB disappoints, Qantas announces acquisition

The ASX 200 is having a better day on Thursday…

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At lunch on Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has followed the lead of US markets and is pushing higher. The benchmark index is currently up 0.65% to 7,352.5 points.

Here's what is happening on the ASX 200 today:

A man analyses stockmarket graph on his computer.

Image source: Getty Images

NAB half-year results disappoint

The National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) share price is in the red today after the bank's half-year results disappointed. For the six months ended 31 March, NAB reported a 4.6% increase in revenue to $9,071 million and a 4.1% lift in cash earnings to $3,480 million. However, this was short of the market's expectations. Furthermore, NAB has abandoned its cost base targets and now expects its operating expenses to increase by 2% to 3% in FY 2022.

Janus Henderson shares crash

Investors have been selling down the Janus Henderson Group (ASX: JHG) share price on Thursday after the fund manager's quarterly update underwhelmed. Janus Henderson reported first quarter operating income of US$124.6 million. This was down 21% from the fourth quarter and 35.3% over the prior corresponding period.

Qantas acquisition

The Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) share price is falling today after the airline operator announced an agreement to acquire Alliance Aviation Services Ltd (ASX: AQZ). The company has offered one Qantas share per Alliance share. This represents a 35% premium to the $3.51 Alliance share price at yesterday's close and values the fly-in, fly-out operator at an enterprise value of $919.2 million.

Best and worst ASX 200 performers

The best performer on the ASX 200 on Thursday has been the Imugene Limited (ASX: IMU) share price with a 7% gain. The biotech's shares are rebounding after crashing to a 52-week low this week. Going the other way, the Janus Henderson share price is the worst performer with a 15% decline. This follows the fund manager's aforementioned quarterly update.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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