Last Orders: ASX retreats after yesterday's record high

After closing at a record high yesterday the ASX retreated by nearly 1 per cent today.

The ASX 200 lost 1.06 per cent to close at 7,097 points. The ASX Emerging Companies Index fared worse closing 2.3 per cent in the red – at 2,060 points.

All sectors closed in the red except consumer staples which gained 0.27 per cent.

The biggest losers were energy which shed 2.5 per cent and tech which lost over 4 per cent.

The top stock was WA focused gold explorer Norwest Minerals (ASX:NWM), which unveiled exploration results.

The results included one hit of 3m at a whopping 30 grams per tonne gold within a broader zone of 16m at 7.3g/t from 194m. That hole, BRC 21015, ended in 18.5g/t gold at 210m.

ANNOUNCEMENTS YOU MAY’VE MISSED

Victory Mines (ASX:VIC) announced significant copper intersections from the first batch of samples that had been analysed for copper. Results included 15m at 1 per cent copper including 10m at 1.28 per cent copper and 1m at 5.64 per cent copper.

KneoMedia (ASX:KNM) announced it was making substantial inroads in New York City. City councillors had committed a total of US$5 million to its Connect ALL Kids program which it is a part of and will receive US$780,000 from.

Microcap health stock Health House International (ASX:HHI) has expanded into European medical cannabis. It has bought a German private company which holds pharmaceutical and export licenses as well as a medicinal cannabis consultancy.

Real estate lessor Dexus (ASX:DXS) has made a $320 million takeover bid for APN Property Group (ASX:APN) – an offer the latter has accepted. The companies declared that the offer was compelling and provided incremental growth opportunities.

Recently listed explorer NickelX (ASX:NKL) has begun exploration at its Biranup project in WA. The project covers 400 square kilometres and the company has 4 high priority targets.