Australian Investment Blog

• The ASX 200 closed 30 points lower at 5858 as Commonwealth Bank (CBA and Boral (BLD) traded ex-dividend and the European negativity remains in place until the Greek debt to its creditors is solved.• ANZ Bank (ANZ) closed 88c lower, or -2.5% at $34.99 after posting its unaudited trading update for the first quarter, clearly disappointing investors’ expectations. • Commonwealth Bank (CBA) traded ex-dividend ($1.98) and closed $3.47 lower (including its $1.98 dividend) at $90.02. Note, seasonally, CBA has been in positive territory for the last 16 years in April, we remain a holder of CBA at present.• Asciano (AIO) closed 1.6% lower at $6.31 despite posting a solid half yearly earnings and highlighting a higher payout ratio to its investors.• Challenger Financial (CGF) closed 0.9% lower at $6.45 after reporting its half yearly earnings below analysts’ expectations. It has however increased its interim dividend and its retail annuity business to continue its growth this year.• Macquarie Group (MQG) rallied 3.5% at $70.90 after updating its investors with its operational briefing stating it expects to report its full year earnings in the upper end of its forecast range.• Fortescue Metals (FMG) closed 4.9% lower at $2.55 after reporting its first half earnings. Despite beating its forecast, concerns continue with its growth prospect.• Seek (SEK) sold off today, closing 8.7% lower at $17.10 after missing analysts’ expectations. See the Hickman Report in regards to our take profit call around $18.50-$19 recently.