ASX claws back losses to finish down 0.3%

ASX pares losses, defensives in favour again, Nuix downgrades again 

The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) trimmed losses to just 0.3% despite falling as low as 1.6% during the session.

The selling pressure was driven primarily by the energy and property sectors as concerns about spiking global COVID-19 cases impacted confidence.

The recently listed Nuix Ltd (ASX:NXL), a big data and analytics business to corporates and governments has now fallen 65% since its IPO.

The company cut its revenue forecast by 7% to $180 million, sending shares 15.4% lower. Despite the fall, the company expects higher earnings as travel and staff costs have been reduced by the pandemic.

On the positive side, retail sales for March stunned on the upside, jumping 1.4% in a preliminary recording, with Victoria and WA, +4% and 5.5% respectively, key drivers following short lockdowns earlier this year.

Corporate Travel Management (ASX:CTM) continued with the positive news, reporting that domestic demand in Australia is back to 85% of pre-COVID levels ensuring the company broke even in March.

NZ remains the standout with volumes at 160% of FY19 levels and the company remains well-positioned to capitalise through further acquisitions; shares jumped 3.5%.

Latrobe Financial mulling IPO, BHP exports ramping up, Northern Star struggled

The successful IPO of personal lender Latitude Financial (ASX:LFS) this week reportedly has the $12 billion residential lender Latrobe Financial considering an IPO or trade sale as private equity owner Blackstone seeks to capitalise on the incredible rebound in Australian property.

Gold miner Northern Star (ASX:NST) fell 3.7% despite reporting the delivery of over 368,000 ounces of gold sold during the quarter.

The acquisition of Saracen appears to be taking some time to digest, with the companies all in cost sitting around $1,598 per oz compared to an average selling price of $2,222.

BHP Group (ASX:BHP) delivered their own quarterly activities report, falling 0.5% despite positive news on export levels.

The group delivered 60 million tonnes of iron ore but kept previous guidance for the financial year at the same level, they did however upgrade guidance on copper production as they seek to capitalise on the booming price as battery demand continues unabated.

Investors are well positioned to benefit from a stream of strong dividends, with the iron ore price hitting a decade high overnight.

US stages late rally, ASX to open higher, traders buying the dip

US markets staged a late rally behind the traditional cyclical sectors, with financials, energy, and mining companies leading the charge.

The Nasdaq overcame another 7.4% drop in Netflix (NYSE:NFLX) which delivered below expectations, to add 1.2% for the day, with the Dow Jones not far behind adding 0.9%.

Thursday marks the beginning of the Earth Day Climate Summit organized by the Biden Administration at which 40 global leaders from 17 economies representing 80% of global emission will put forward their plans to drastically cut emissions and ramp up pressure on corporates to do the same.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is one such company that has agreed to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030.

Shares were broadly flat despite the single shot vaccine producer announcing a 9.6% increase in sales through their pharmaceutical division on the back of the rollout.

The consumer unit struggled to keep up with 2020 levels, with the Neutrogena business seeing revenue declined 2.3%.