By Oliver Gray
Investing.com -Australian shares fell 59.40 points or 0.82% to 7,174.20 in Tuesday’s midday deals, amid souring risk sentiment as investors eyed an evolving situation in Ukraine as Russian President Vladimir V. Putin signed a decree that allowed troops to enter Donetsk and Luhansk for “peacekeeping functions,” while the U.S. and E.U. began imposing sanctions.
ASX 200 Futures were 0.04% higher.
Among stocks, local investors were tracking a fresh batch of corporate earnings, with Costa Group Holdings Ltd (ASX:CGC) up 6% after reporting an annual 16.2% increase in profits, while Coles Group Ltd (ASX:COL) lifted 0.8% as results showed that half-year revenues increased by 1%, with profits down 2%.
Meantime, Hearing implant marker Cochlear Ltd (ASX:COH) lifted 4.5% after announcing a 35% increase in its half-year dividend, while Alumina Ltd (ASX:AWC) lost 0.5% despite a 28% surge in statutory profits.
Among sectors, Technology fell 3.23% as Block Inc (ASX:SQ2) dropped 6.58%, Zip Co Ltd (ASX:Z1P) fell 7.17%, Appen Ltd (ASX:APX) lost 2.7%, Megaport Ltd (ASX:MP1) fell 3.38%, Novonix Ltd (ASX:NVX) lost 5.23%, Brainchip Holdings Ltd (ASX:BRN) dipped 4.25% and Wisetech Global Ltd (ASX:WTC) lost 4.53%.
However, Energy lifted on higher crude oil prices. Beach Energy Ltd (ASX:BPT) added 2.03%, Santos Ltd (ASX:STO) gained 1.67% and Woodside Petroleum Ltd (ASX:WPL) added 2.09%.
Financials were 1.4% lower with Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX:MQG) down 1.5%, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ASX:ANZ) falling 0.89%, National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX:NAB) losing 1.53%, Westpac Banking Corp (ASX:WBC) down 0.71% and Commonwealth Bank Of Australia (ASX:CBA) dropping 1.93%.
Materials also dragged about 0.7% with Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX:RIO) down 0.97%, BHP Billiton Ltd (ASX:BHP) falling 0.77%, Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX:FMG) down 0.76%, Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX:PLS) down 0.137%, Arizona Lithium Ltd (ASX:AZL) falling 5.93% Avz Minerals Ltd (ASX:AVZ) down 4.4% and Lake Resources NL (ASX:LKE) shedding 3.21%.
However, some gold miners lifted as prices remain elevated. Gold Road Resources Ltd (ASX:GOR) added 1.01%, Newcrest Mining Ltd (ASX:NCM) was up 1.51%, Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX:NST) added 4.22% and Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX:EVN) gained 2.13%.
On the bond markets, Australia 10-Year rates were at 2.182%, while United States 10-Year yields were at 1.873%.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 was just 0.07% higher at 12,164.