The S&P/ASX 200 (ASX: XJO) weakened throughout the day, ultimately finishing 0.1% lower on Tuesday.
A resurgent ASX technology sector (up 1.6%) was unable to overcome a continued sell-off in the mining (-1.4%) and energy sectors.
Annual meeting season is upon us with investors poring through announcements for more guidance into an increasingly uncertain economy.
A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) and Zip Co Ltd (ASX: Z1P) were the standouts, both gaining more than 5% with the likes of Unibail Rodamco Westfield (ASX: URW) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) the major drags.
Cochlear & Tabcorp’s AGMs
Hearing aid manufacturer Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH) rallied 1.9% after management confirmed it expects to deliver 10-20% profit growth in 2022 as surgery rates across the world finally begin to recover.
Meanwhile, Tabcorp Holdings Limited (ASX: TAH) fell 2.7% after confirming the costly split of its lotteries and Keno businesses will occur by June 2022.
The total expense is set to be between $225 and $275 million, leading many to question the strategy. Its wagering business has also fallen over 17% in the first months of the financial year as venues remained closed.
BHP production drops
BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) fell 2% on a production update as the weaker iron ore price coincided with another underperformance from its iron ore operations.
The group failed to match its 2020 output in the third quarter, shipping 70 million tonnes, 3.5% lower.
Output was hampered by extended but expected maintenance requirements but also a growing shortage of train drivers. Coal and copper volumes were also lower.
Fletcher Building flags profit fall
Sticking with materials, Fletcher Building Limited (ASX: FBU) gained close to 2% despite warning that its profit margins will fall below the 10% target in 2022.
Higher costs and increased investment is expected to be overcome in the second half. Construction remains tight with margins of just 3-5% offering little room for error, with its Australian operations at 5-7% and residential US construction significantly better.
Brambles hedge
Brambles Limited (ASX: BXB) flexed its oligopolistic muscles once again, reporting a 9% increase in sales to US$1.292 billion for the quarter.
The majority of the gains are coming from the pass-through of higher costs in every other part of its business through surcharge mechanisms. This was evidenced by new business growth of just 2%t but sales growth of 9% in the US, 8% in Europe and 11% in Asia.
On the positive, this shows signs of a quality company that is able to pass on its costs, but also growing pressure on its customers.
ASX 200 today
Looking ahead, the ASX 200 is set to climb when the market opens on Wednesday, following a positive lead from US markets overnight. For all the latest, check out my US stock market report.
