Australia: Aurizon Net Falls, Woolworth Sales Rise 5.3%

Marcus Jacob
30 Apr, 2014
New York City

In active trading, Australian stocks edged lower and the Aussie dollar held firm. Aurizon Holdings transported 11% more in the third-quarter but net declined. Woolworths third-quarter sales increased 5.3%.

[R]5:00 PM Sydney – In active trading, Australian stocks edged lower and the Aussie dollar held firm. Aurizon Holdings transported 11% more in the third-quarter but net income declined. Woolworths third-quarter sales increased 5.3%.[/R]

Australian stocks closed higher in active trading and the Aussie dollar held its ground against the U.S. dollar.

Australian dollar closed at 92.84 U.S. cents and stock market trading turnover fell to 792 million shares worth $4.69 billion.

The ASX 200 index edged up 2.50 to 5,489.10 and the broader All Ordinaries rose 3.90 to 5,470.80. For the month, ASX 200 jumped 2.3%.

Stocks in Review

Rio Tinto rose 40 cents to $61.70 and the mining company signed an agreement with ERA and Rössing Uranium Limited to purchase uranium oxide produced by ERA and sell to third-party customers.

The agreement is effective from July 1.

BHP added 14 cents to $37.75. Woodside Petroleum Limited increased 0.2% to $40.80.

Westpac Banking Corp slipped 27 cents to $35.12.

Aurizon Holdings Ltd rose 0.2% to $5.18 after the rail freight operator said total coal transportation in the March quarter climbed 11% to 48.6 million tons.

For the fiscal 2014, Aurizon expects to deliver between 207 million tons to 212 million tons.

Aurizon reported net profit in the first-half plunged 39% to $107.3 million.

Origin Energy Limited gained 0.3% to $14.90 after the electricity, oil and gas producer said production in fourth-quarter ending in March climbed 10% and revenue surged 27% to $253.4 million compared to $199.1 million a year ago.

Woolworths Limited slipped 1.9% to $37.32 after the Australia-based food and liquor retailer announced sales from continuing operations in the third-quarter ending in March climbed 5.3% to $15.19 billion from $14.42 billion a year ago.

The retailer said online sales increased more than 50% and click & collect sales across the group increased more than 100%.

Hotel sales increased 1.1% to $357 million while New Zealand supermarkets’ sales rose 0.1% to $1.43 billion.