ASX 200 lunch time report: Costa, SEEK, & Vocus higher

Bellamy's Australia Ltd (ASX:BAL), Costa Group Holdings Ltd (ASX:CGC), and SEEK Limited (ASX:SEK) shares have been making waves on the ASX 200 on Wednesday. Here's why…

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) has bounced back from its disappointing decline on Tuesday and is up 0.3% to 6,147.1 points at lunch on Wednesday.

Here's what has been happening on the benchmark index today:

a woman

SEEK shares race higher.

The SEEK Limited (ASX: SEK) share price has raced higher on Wednesday and is up 6% at lunch following the release of a better than expected first half result. SEEK posted half year revenue growth of 21% to $757.2 million and EBITDA growth of 6% to $238.5 million. A note out of Goldman Sachs reveals that it was expecting EBITDA of $225 million.

Costa provides positive outlook.

The Costa Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: CGC) share price has pushed 4.5% higher after the release of its results for the six months ended December 30. Although Costa posted a sharp decline in profits compared to the prior corresponding period, investors appear pleased that trading conditions have improved since its last update. Management confirmed calendar year 2019 guidance for 30% profit growth.

Bellamy's disappoints.

After a terrible start to the day the Bellamy's Australia Ltd (ASX: BAL) share price has recovered and is down 3% at lunch. The infant formula company's shares fell as much as 10% after it downgraded its full year guidance following a weak first half performance.

Reliance Worldwide share sale.

The Reliance Worldwide Corporation Ltd (ASX: RWC) share price has come under pressure after chairman Jonathan Munz announced his intention to retire from the board and sold his remaining holding in the company via a $367 million block trade. The trade was made at $4.65 per share.

Best and worst performers.

The best performer on the ASX 200 at lunch is the SEEK share price, closely followed by the Vocus Group Ltd (ASX: VOC) share price which is 6% higher following the release of its half year results. The worst performer on the index is the Reliance Worldwide share price which is down 6%, followed by the NEXTDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) share price which is off 3% at lunch after the release of its half year results.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro owns shares of NEXTDC Limited and SEEK Limited. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended COSTA GRP FPO. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended SEEK Limited and Vocus Communications Limited. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Share Market News

Share Market News

Testing again

Read more »

Share Market News

Aaron Test 2

Read more »

Share Market News

Aaron Test

Read more »

Share Market News

JP Test

Read more »

Share Market News

JP Test

Read more »

Portrait of Discovery Fund portfolio managers Mark Devcich and Chris Bainbridge
Share Market News

Test

Portfolio managers Mark Devcich (left) and Chris Bainbridge. Image source: Discovery Fund test test

Read more »

a man in a hoodie grins slyly as he sits with his hands poised on a keyboard. He is superimposed with a graphic image of a computer screen asking for a password, suggesting he is a hacker.
Share Market News

Another ASX 200 company has been hit with a cyber incident. Here's what we know

Hackers have breached the systems of this ASX 200 company.

Read more »

a woman
Broker Notes

5 ASX 200 shares that inflation can't touch: expert

Regardless of whether you're a bull or a bear, cost pressures are a factor when buying stocks at the moment.

Read more »