ASX Round-Up: ASX Falls to 4,972.1 Points

After opening at 4,993.40 points July 19, the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) fell 21.30 points, or 0.4 percent, to 4,972.10 points.

Petroleum company Caltex Australia (ASX:CTX) saw some of the biggest gains on the ASX today, rising $0.51 to reach $19.329. The news comes on the back of an announcement from Australian Service Station Trust, which is planning to raise AU$50 million in order to invest in five operating gas stations. The stations have 15-year leases with Caltex and the Spargo Group. On July 12, Caltex reported a leak at a petrol tank at its Banksmeadow terminal; the company managed to contain the area.

Also making gains this week was Lynas Corporation (ASX:LYC), a rare earth exploration company that increased to $0.445 — a rise of $0.030.

Orica (ASX:ORI), which provides explosives and blasting systems to mining companies, saw some of the biggest losses on the ASX today. Falling $2.81, the company hit $18.191. Oil and gas producer Santos (ASX:STO) also fell, sinking $0.520, to $13.727, today.

Orica expects its profits this year to fall 10 percent due to weak global markets, The Australian reported. Santos, too, lowered its 2013 production estimates after it experienced a power outage at a Vietnam production facility and saw declines at its natural gas project in Bangladesh. Along with poor profit data, the ASX was also affected by the fall of Japan’s share market. Investors remain cautious, the source said, before reporting season later this month and the upcoming federal election.

“I think businesses and consumers are holding off until there’s a higher degree of certainty (about the federal government),” Martin Lakos, division director of Macquarie Private Wealth, told The Australian.