Midday: Aus shares follow US lower

25/06/2014 12:50:00

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Losses were led by the miners and the banks.
 
The S&P/ASX 200 index is 32 points down at 5,401. On the futures market the SPI is 33 points lower. 
 
Company news
 
Frank Lowy’s spin-off Scentre Group (ASX:SCG) started trading today. 
 
Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX:ALL) has confirmed it’s in advanced discussions with US company VGT about a potential takeover. 

Best and worst performers
 
All major sectors are down today. The sector with the least losses is telco services losing 2 points to 1,807. Shares in TPG Telecom Limited (ASX:TPM) have risen 0.71 per cent and trading at $5.69. Shares in Singapore Telecommunications (ASX:SGT) are slightly higher while Telstra Corporation Limited (ASX:TLS) is lower. 
 
The worst performing sector is real estate investment trusts, falling 13 points to 1,073. Shares in Shopping Centres Australasia Property Group (ASX:SCP) have fallen 1.96 per cent, trading at $1.76. Shares in GPT Group (ASX:GPT) and Abacus Property Group (ASX:ABP) are also lower. 


 
Gentrack (ASX:GTK) started trading today. The utilities software solutions company floated with an issue price of $2.19, opened at $2.29 and is currently trading at $2.30.
 
Managed Accounts (ASX:MGP) also started trading today. The managed accounts solutions company floated with an issue price of $0.20, opened at $0.21 and is currently trading at $0.19.    
 
Gold and the dollar

Gold is trading at $US1,316 an ounce.
The Australian dollar is buying $US0.9364