Carnage continues for Downer share price on Friday

Investors have been hitting the sell button again on Friday…

| More on:
A young male investor wearing a white business shirt screams in frustration with his hands grasping his hair after ASX 200 shares fell rapidly today and appear to be heading into a stock market crash

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The Downer EDI Ltd (ASX: DOW) share price is under pressure again on Friday.

In morning trade, the engineering and construction company's shares are down a further 7% to $3.54.

This means the Downer share price is now down 26% over the last two trading sessions and 40% since this time last year.

Why is the Downer share price being sold off?

Investors have been selling off Downer's shares this week after the company revealed that it has identified historical misreporting of its Australia utilities business' revenue and work in progress in one of its maintenance contracts.

According to the release, the company estimates that this misreporting could result in a historical overstatement of pre-tax earnings of between $30 million and $40 million.

What else?

Another disappointment that has put pressure on the Downer share price was the scrapping of its guidance for FY 2023 for unrelated matters.

Downer's CEO and managing director, Grant Fenn, revealed that "the challenge for the last seven months of [FY 2023] has become too large" to achieve its profit growth guidance of 10% and 20%.

Fenn advised that its "road services and utilities businesses have been heavily impacted by weather" and its "businesses have been battling with staff shortages and supply chain issues."

In other news, this morning Macquarie responded to the update by downgrading Downer's shares to a neutral rating and slashed its price target to $4.05.

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.

More on Industrials Shares

Rubbish and waste around a green recycling logo.
Industrials Shares

'Strong outlook': Buy these ASX 200 industrial shares with healthy growth forecasts

These stocks have been backed by experts.

Read more »

drone stuck in a tree representing crashing Aerometrix share price
Industrials Shares

Why has the DroneShield share price crashed 46% since July?

The defence industry is climbing, but DroneShield has been left on the ground.

Read more »

A man dives off a boat into the sea, indicating a share price fall
Industrials Shares

This $1 billion ASX 300 stock is up 35% in 2 weeks. Here's why it's diving deep today

The high flying ASX 300 stock has come under heavy selling pressure today. But why?

Read more »

A young man punches the air in delight as he reacts to great news on his mobile phone.
Earnings Results

Brickworks share price jumps 7% on FY24 earnings beat and dividend increase

The company's profits didn't fall as much as expected in FY 2024.

Read more »

A young male investor wearing a white business shirt screams in frustration with his hands grasping his hair after ASX 200 shares fell rapidly today and appear to be heading into a stock market crash
Industrials Shares

This $6.5 billion ASX 200 share just crashed 12%!

Trading conditions have become tough for this stock. Let's see what's happening.

Read more »

a man in a business suite throws his arms open wide above his head and raises his face with his mouth open in celebration in front of a background of an illuminated board tracking stock market movements.
Industrials Shares

This ASX 200 stock just jumped 5%. Here's why

Investors are cheering on an update this morning. Let's dig deeper into it.

Read more »

A silhouette of a soldier flying a drone at sunset.
Technology Shares

What's the bull case for the DroneShield share price right now?

Can the counter-drone technology company continue its run?

Read more »

Successful group of people applauding in a business meeting and looking very happy.
Industrials Shares

Guess which ASX All Ords share is jumping on $670m contract win

A big contract win has been announced in the United States.

Read more »