ASX finishes lower; Domino's, Collins Foods soar
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The news: The Australian sharemarket ended lower after a mixed trading day that saw the energy sector drag on the market following a decline in oil prices.
The benchmark ASX 200 fell 0.11% to end at 8,511.4, with six out of 11 sectors finishing in green.
Biggest movers:
- Beach Energy (-5.21%) — Its first-half result drew a mixed response from analysts including a ratings downgrade from Morgans on the stock to ‘hold’.
- Energy sector (-1.45%) — Was the worst performing sector as oil prices headed for a third weekly decline due to the emerging trade war between the US and China. Beach Energy (-4.7%), Karoon Energy (-4.1%), Ampol (-1.1%), Santos (-0.9%) and Woodside Energy (-0.8%) all fell.
- Domino’s Pizza (21.3%) — Flagged a first-half loss but outlined plans to close 205 loss-making stores, mostly in Japan.
- Collins Foods (12.69%) — KFC Australia, including New Zealand, recorded double-digit sales growth during the fourth quarter.
Earnings related:
- News Corp (-3.8%) — Pared gains from Thursday’s rally despite positive reactions to its Q2 results from analysts.
- Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (-1.28%) — Reaffirmed earnings and distribution guidance after lifting its half-year profit.
- Sigma Healthcare (3.18%) — Upgraded its full-year normalised EBIT guidance due to a new Chemist Warehouse supply contract.
- Nick Scali (10.5%) — First-half profit came in 15% ahead of market estimates, despite retreating 30% year on year.
Other news:
- Block (-0.52%) — Afterpay co-founder and former co-CEO Anthony Eisen has been appointed to the board of Block.
- Generation Development Group (halted) — Entered a trading halt as it finalises a "potential acquisition" and capital raising.
- Atlas Arteria (-0.39%) — Flagged tax payments in France after the country’s parliament adopted a new temporary supplemental tax applicable to large companies.
- SkyCity (ended flat) — Announced that its New Zealand International Convention Centre will open in February 2026 following delays by its construction partner Fletcher Building.
- Hotel Property Investments (ended flat) — Its managing director and CEO John White has resigned, along with two other board members, as Charter Hall Retail REIT and Hostplus solidified their majority shareholding.
- Neuren Pharmaceuticals (0.65%) — Has received its share of the net proceeds from the sale of the Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher.
- Breville (1.54%) — Analysts flagged that it is one of the biggest losers out of a potential US-China trade war as it earns almost half of its revenue in the US from goods coming mostly from China.
The Australian dollar is buying 62.86 US cents.
What’s ahead: Next week earnings season kicks into full gear with Commonwealth Bank, CSL, ASX, South 32, JB Hi-Fi, Origin Energy, AGL Energy and a slew of others all reporting.
