The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) has been sold off heavily today with several mid-cap businesses suffering heavy falls. The cause of the pain is a rough session for global equity markets after the European Central Bank's stimulus package failed to impress liquidity-hungry investors.
Let's take a look at some of today's big losers and what might be behind the excess falls.
Henderson Global plc (ASX: HGG) shares have dropped 5% to $6.07 today despite releasing no specific news to the market. The falls are likely the result of Henderson's leverage to equity markets with both US and European markets tumbling overnight. Henderson is a globally focused fund manager based in the UK, where equity markets fell heavily on Thursday.
Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) is another international equities fund manager suffering from investor nerves over the outlook for global equity markets. The share price is down 8% today with the falls perhaps accelerated by the fact the group announced net institutional outflows of $89 million for the month of November. Still, total net inflows were $130 million with the group's retail FUM flows stronger than ever.
Japara Healthcare Ltd (ASX: JHC) shares are down 5.9% to $3.03 despite the company releasing no specific news to the market. This is likely the result of some profit taking with the stock up 20% over the last month until today's big falls. The business has some powerful tailwind as an aged care provider and remains a growth stock to watch.
Seven West Media Ltd (ASX: SWM) shares are down 5.9% today to 79.5 cents as the newspaper, television and magazine operator continues to attempt to map out a sustainable path into the digital future. The group's Channel 7 television station remains its flagship asset that is reliant on advertising revenues to help create a profitable business. The stock looks one to watch from the sidelines as it operates in a fast-changing and competitive environment.
