AU Morning Wrap | ASX 200 Declines from Record High

U.S. equities largely rebounded after an initial dip following the Ukraine-Russia conflict, with Nvidia playing a significant role in driving the $Nasdaq Composite Index (.IXIC.US)$ higher. By the close of trading, the Nasdaq Composite Index had gained 1.03%, while the $Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI.US)$ edged down slightly by 0.03%, and the $S&P 500 Index (.SPX.US)$ increased by 0.49%.

Australian shares have retreated from the record closing high achieved in the previous session due to global geopolitical tensions dampening investor enthusiasm. The $S&P/ASX 200 (.XJO.AU)$ has declined by 0.11% to 8364.7. The industrials sector has been the hardest hit, experiencing a 1% drop, primarily driven by declines in Brambles and Reece.

$Bitcoin (BTC.CC)$ saw a slight uptick of 1.35%, pushing its price to $92,280,626 in the past 24 hours. Conversely, $Ethereum (ETH.CC)$ experienced a decline of 0.98%, with its value dropping to $3,122 during the same timeframe.

$Paladin Energy Ltd (PDN.AU)$'s acquisition of Fission Uranium is under extended national security review by Canada's Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, with the period now lasting until December 30.

$Webjet Group Ltd (WJL.AU)$ has postponed the release of its first half 2025 results due to the complexities involved in its demerger, with an anticipated release no later than November 29.

Afterpay has integrated its Buy Now Pay Later service with Google Pay, leading to a 1.72% increase in $Block Inc (SQ2.AU)$ shares.

Amcor is set to acquire Berry Global Group through an all-stock transaction, offering Berry shareholders 7.25 Amcor shares for each Berry share. Post-acquisition, Amcor and Berry shareholders will own 63% and 37% of the combined company, respectively, with expectations of over 35% EPS accretion and $650 million in synergies by the end of the third year. $Amcor PLC (AMC.AU)$'s shares have fallen 0.96% to $15.55

$PWR Holdings Ltd (PWH.AU)$' shares have dropped 27.5% to $6.58 after the company forecasted a significant decline in its first-half FY25 profit to about $3.5 million, compared to $9.8 million in the previous year.

$Nick Scali Ltd (NCK.AU)$'s shares have dipped 0.5% to $14.01 as the company warns its previous guidance is threatened due to a freight forwarder entering liquidation.

$Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (PNI.AU)$ has halted trading on its shares as it launches a $400 million equity raise to acquire minority stakes in two international fund managers.