ASX 200 drops, Santos entices CEO, Centuria acquires again

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX:XJO) fell today. However, the Santos Ltd (ASX:STO) share price rose on news its CEO is staying for the long-term.

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The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) ended the down lower by 0.3% today to 6,974 points.

It was a painful day for some ASX resource shares, including the Nickel Mines Ltd (ASX: NIC) share price which fell 7.7%.

Here are some of the other highlights from the ASX:

Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) CEO

The Santos share price went up close to 1% after investors learned that the CEO would be staying.

The energy business has agreed to provide Mr Kevin Gallagher with a once-off growth projects incentive to ensure he sees through the successful delivery of the ASX 200 company's major growth projects and energy transition strategy to 2025.

Santos pointed out that since February 2016, he has led a significant turnaround and said the business is now sustainable and resilient, generating significant free cash flow. The strategy and the disciplined, low-cost operating model has been key for assisting with this.

During Mr Gallagher's tenure, the company has delivered a total shareholder return of 159% including dividends, compared to 83% for the ASX 200 and 37% for the ASX energy index.

Santos Chair Keith Spence said Mr Gallagher is well-recognised as one of Australia's leading chief executives with a proven track record of delivering value for shareholders:

Kevin is critical to the successful delivery of the company's strategy, major growth projects and driving the energy transition over the next five years.

The incentive is in the form of share acquisition rights (SARs) with a face value at grant of $6 million.

Centuria Industrial Reit (ASX: CIP)

The Centuria real estate investment trust (REIT) announced a $27 million Arndell Park distribution centre acquisition in central west Sydney.

Centuria's acquisition has a 2.2 year lease expiry, fully let to civil and construction infrastructure supplier, Jaybro.

This acquisition includes 9,400sqm of generic industrial space within a 1.9 hectare site (which is 49% coverage of the site). It is in close proximity to the ASX 200 share's existing Penelope Crescent warehouse.

Centuria Industrial Reit fund manager Jesse Curtis said:

The acquisition is CIP's second strategic, infill Sydney industrial transaction within seven weeks having recently completed on a Bella Vista warehouse. The high-demand Arndell Park market is characteristic of limited warehouse stock and benefits from its infill location, close to major infrastructure.

It increases CIP's exposure to Sydney's central western industrial market and supports the REIT's strategy of security high-quality industrial assets within infill markets.

That's the 13th acquisition of FY21, worth a total of $784 million.

The Centuria Industrial Reit share price went up around 0.3%.

Worley Ltd (ASX: WOR)

The Worley share price fell 1% today despite winning a new contract.

It has been awarded a maintenance and integrity contract for services to support Petroleum Development Oman's (PDO's) strategic oil and gas production assets in the South Oman concession region. PDO has selected Worley to work with Arabian Industries Projects.

The ASX 200 share will provide long-term sustaining capital works services such as engineering, project work, field change proposals, process safety management, maintenance and integrity, demolition, shutdown work and digital enhancements.

The term of the contract is seven years with an option to extend for three years. The services will be executed by Worley's team in Oman.

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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