The ASX200 is trading flat this afternoon, up just .10 of a per cent in line with futures predictions.
Materials and healthcare were the only sectors really bucking against the trend, both up over 1 per cent with industrials and financials also notching small gains.
In local macroeconomic news – Australia’s current account balance is up by $10.5 billion to return to a surplus of $11.8 billion for the December 2023 quarter, mostly driven by mining commodities exports.
China’s yearly ‘Two Sessions’ government policy meetings are also underway with the government inking a 5% GDP growth target for 2024, as well as plans to boost the EV market.
In this bulletin, we’ll look at news from Healius, Lucapa Diamond Company, Alara Resources, and Income Asset Management.
Company news
Diagnostics leader Healius (ASX:HLS)is up more than 13 per cent on its CEO’s resignation.
Maxine Jaquet – who stepped in as CEO and Managing Director – resigned after less than a year in the role – and the company’s CFO, Mr Paul Anderson will take over immediately.
Traders will be watching to see if this move makes the stock more appealing to brokers. Currently, none rate the stock a Buy.
HLS has been trading at 9.8 cents.
Harmonising with the materials sector’s gains today, Lucapa Diamond Company (ASX:LOD) is up more than 5 per cent after unearthing two diamonds weighing over 100 carats each at the Lulo Mine in Angola.
A 162 carat diamond was found first, followed by the discovery of the 116 carat diamond the very next day.
LOD has been trading at 10 cents.
Alara Resources (ASX:AUQ) has kickstarted copper concentrate production at its JV Copper-Gold Mine in Oman after years of hard work.
The company is expected to deliver and ship 1,000 dry metric tonnes by as early as April to a global commodities giant.
AUQ has been trading at 3.7 cents.
And Income Asset Management (ASX:IAM) has appointed a New Head of Finance to lead the division.
Jerome Jones, has been internally promoted to the position today following the departure of CFO Clare Power.
Jones boasts over 25 years’ experience in roles across many ASX-listed companies.
IAM has been trading at 9 cents.
That’s news for now. We’ll have a final wrap after Market Close.
