Brickworks Limited (ASX:BKW) today purchased Sasso Precast Concrete, a substantial manufacturer of precast concrete panels, for A$35.25 million. The transaction will diversify the building products offering and will be immediately earnings per share positive for the company.
Asian markets mostly gained on Friday. Japan's Nikkei was 0.2 per cent higher on upbeat industrial output data. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 1.0 per cent, while South Korea's Kospi added 0.5 per cent. China's Shanghai Composite Friday fell 0.3 per cent. Today metal and resource shares in the regional markets may face pressure after the massive earthquake that hit Chile.
The Australian share market finished almost unchanged on Tuesday as weakness in resources stocks offset gains in the banking sector. Asian markets were lower yesterday ahead of testimony by US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index edged up 0.8 points or 0.02 per cent, at 4718.3 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index had slipped 1.7 points, or 0.04 per cent, lower to 4731.
Most Asian markets rallied with resources shares significantly higher on Monday. Japan's Nikkei jumped 2.7 per cent while exporters were encouraged by stronger US dollar against yen. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gained 2.4 per cent. The Shanghai bourse reopened for the first day after the Lunar New Year holiday, Shanghai Composite dropped 0.5 per cent as the market was still impacted by the People's Bank of China's credit-tightening measures unveiled before the long holiday.
ABN Newswire stocks to watch today include: Atlas Iron Limited (ASX:AGO), Galaxy Resources Limited (ASX:GXY) (PINK:GALXF), Carpentaria Exploration Limited (ASX:CAP), Brickworks Limited (ASX:BKW), iSOFT Group Limited (ASX:ISF), Iron Road Limited (ASX:IRD), and Havilah Resources NL (ASX:HAV).
Brickworks Limited (ASX:BKW) today announced plans to expand its Wollert-based brick factory, increasing the capacity to 170 million standard brick equivalents (SBE) up from its design capacity of 85 million SBE. The expanded factory will set new productivity and energy efficiency benchmarks in Australia.
The Australian sharemarket fell on Thursday as investors digested some mixed earnings results. Investors also managed to take profit for the market after two days gains. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index lost 13 points, or 0.28 per cent, to 4654.9, while the broader All Ordinaries index gave up 12.9 points, or 0.28 per cent to 4673.9.
