S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) has been under pressure since the open today, down 0.5% or 31 points lower to 6,193 early afternoon.
Both the S&P 500 Index (INDEXSP:.INX) and the Nasdaq Composite (INDEXNASDAQ:.IXIC) finished higher last night but Asian markets have not followed.
This morning’s biggest news includes Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX:BOQ) releasing their half year results and a federal election announced for May 18, 2019.
Mid-Session 11 Apr 19: Market falls on bank & mining weakness pic.twitter.com/qqAJHVicRf
— CommSec (@CommSec) April 11, 2019
Bank of Queensland disappoints
On face value, BOQ’s result today was in line with its recently given guidance around cash earnings and net interest margin.
Perhaps it was the first half dividend being cut that unnerved investors, the 34 cent fully franked dividend was 4 cents lower than the prior corresponding period.
Morgan Stanley had flagged this risk recently in a research note.
Federal election called
Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited the Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove this morning to trigger an election next month on May 18.
The timetable for the 2019 federal election #auspol #AusVotes19 pic.twitter.com/kBAroISBR1
— AEC (@AusElectoralCom) April 11, 2019