The S&P/ASX 200 (ASX: XJO) couldn’t overcome selling pressure from the ASX consumer staples sector, which finished down 4%, as the market fell by less than a point on Tuesday.
Real estate and communications outperformed, up 1.1% and 0.7%, after Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC) rallied 5% on a broker upgrade that suggested its performance fees were set to increase significantly in FY22.
Elsewhere, shares in CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) entered a trading halt before the open ahead of a capital raising for acquisition highlighted in yesterday’s edition.
CSL is making a $17 billion play for Swedish-based Vifor Pharma. The deal is CSL’s first major transaction since 2008 and will bring together two globally leading biotech companies.
Woolworths drags ASX lower
But all the focus was on Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) which fell by 7.7%, among the worst in the market, after management delivered a weaker than expected HY22 trading update.
The group announced a further $220 million in COVID-19 related costs, across its supply chain and staffing, which will send earnings down from $1.3 to $1.2 billion for the half year.
BIG W is also struggling, with earnings to be just $20-30 million down from $133 million in the prior year.
Whilst the Woolworths share price fall was significant, experts have highlighted that the company has chosen to remain focused on its customers, keeping costs low at the expense of short-term profits.
Mesoblast loses contract
Shares in Mesoblast Limited (ASX: MSB) sank another 17.4%, with the embattled company announcing the withdrawal of an agreement with global giant Novartis after clinical trials on its ARDS technology did not end as planned.
Virtus share price surges on PE bid
Private hospital operator, Virtus Health Ltd (ASX: VRT) topped the market, gaining 34.6% after receiving a $607 million takeover bid from PE player BGH Capital. The offer prices the company at $7.10 per share, with shares closing at $7.01.
Kogan going crypto
Kogan.com Ltd (ASX: KGN) looks to be jumping on the crypto bandwagon, with management announcing the sale of a web address, bitbuy.com.au, to a global crypto platform at the same time as signing an advertising and marketing deal for its Australian operations. It’s an unexpected pivot by the ASX retailer.
Rio Tinto writes off Mongolian debt
Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) finished broadly flat, underperforming the rest of the ASX mining sector, with management declaring it will cancel US$2.3 billion in debt owed by the Mongolian government in an effort to push its operations further towards completion following numerous cost blowouts.
PolyNovo share price storms higher
PolyNovo Ltd (ASX: PNV) shares gained 15.4% after announcing a 133% increase in US sales in the months of October and November, albeit to just $4.66 million.
ASX 200 today
Looking ahead, the ASX 200 is expected to edge lower when the market opens on Wednesday.
This comes following a negative lead from US markets, with all three benchmarks finishing in the red. To find out more, check out my US stock market report.