AU Evening Wrap | ASX 200 drops; Energy is the only sector-gainer, led by CEN

Top gainers: $Contact Energy Ltd (CEN.AU)$, $Cettire Ltd (CTT.AU)$ and $Atlas Arteria Ltd (ALX.AU)$
Top losers: $Growthpoint Properties Australia (GOZ.AU)$, $Summerset Group Holdings Ltd (SNZ.AU)$ and $GPT Group (GPT.AU)$

The stock market showed mixed results today. The $S&P/ASX 200 (.XJO.AU)$ fell 0.32% to 8,235.00, dragged down by losses in 10 out of 11 sectors. Trading was light today as investors played it safe. With the year ending, many held back due to uncertainties about the new year. This caution resulted in lower-than-usual market activity.

$Astral Resources NL (AAR.AU)$ shares dipped 6.67% to A$0.14, while $Maximus Resources Ltd (MXR.AU)$ jumped 31.11% to $0.059. Astral made a takeover bid for Maximus, offering 0.07 Astral shares for each Maximus share in an off-market, all-stock deal.

$Woolworths Group Ltd (WOW.AU)$ closed down 0.03% at A$30.50. The retail giant announced plans to refund its Everyday car insurance customers who were overcharged by its underwriter for several years.

$Proteomics International Laboratories Ltd (PIQ.AU)$ surged 22.31% to A$0.74. The company successfully validated a new blood test for detecting endometriosis, called PromarkerEndo, using plasma protein biomarkers.