What caused this ASX 200 share to crash 20% on Monday?

This ASX 200 share is having a very bad start to the week…

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points
  • Adbri shares are being crushed on Monday
  • This follows the surprise exit of its CEO and the release of a disappointing trading update
  • That update reveals that Adbri's earnings are expected to be down materially year over year

The Adbri Ltd (ASX: ABC) share price is having a terrible start to the week.

In early afternoon trade, the building materials company's shares are down 20% to $1.47.

This makes the Adbri share price the worst performer on the ASX 200 index by some distance.

A man sitting at a computer is blown away by what he's seeing on the screen, hair and tie whooshing back as he screams argh in panic.

Image source: Getty Images

Why is the Adbri share price crashing?

The Adbri share price has come crashing down to earth on Monday after the company revealed the surprise exit of its CEO and provided the market with a trading update.

In respect to the former, the company revealed that CEO and managing director, Nick Miller, will be leaving the role after the Adbri board determined that it is an appropriate time for a change in leadership.

Experienced senior executive, Mark Irwin, has been appointed as interim CEO and will start in the role tomorrow. He was previously held executive roles with other ASX 200 companies such as BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and OZ Minerals Limited (ASX: OZL).

Trading update

Also putting pressure on the Adbri share price today was the release of a disappointing trading update.

The release reveals that actions taken to address inflationary pressures have not offset external headwinds. As a result, the company's earnings have continued to be impacted by ongoing wet weather conditions affecting volume and cost, and an escalation of input and operational costs.

This means that company expects to record an underlying net profit after tax (excluding property and significant items) of $75 million to $85 million for FY 2022. This will be down 29% to 37% on FY 2021's underlying net profit after tax of $119.1 million.

Management revealed that it is implementing a number of immediate measures in response to the current operating conditions in the hope of delivering further additional cost reductions and operational efficiency improvements. It believes the appointment of Mark Irwin as interim CEO will accelerate Adbri's ability to deliver these initiatives in the current environment.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. 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 Scott Phillips.

More on Materials Shares

Two workers on site discuss the next stage of this civil engineering job.
Materials Shares

Is takeover tension sending this ASX steel stock soaring?

Strong fundamentals and takeover speculation have pushed this share up 42%.

Read more »

Smiling worker in metal landfill.
Materials Shares

Another US milestone, another share price drop: What's going on with this ASX stock?

Metallium hits another US milestone, but shares slip again on Tuesday.

Read more »

A bearded man holds both arms up diagonally and points with his index fingers to the sky with a thrilled look on his face.
Materials Shares

Which ASX mining stock could rise 120% according to a leading broker?

Bell Potter thinks this mining stock could be seriously undervalued.

Read more »

Male building supervisor stands and smiles with his arms crossed at a building site with workers behind him.
Materials Shares

Down 25%! Is this resurgent ASX 200 stock a strong buy?

Analysts at Morgans see more than 60% upside ahead.

Read more »

A man wearing a suit holds his arms aloft, attached to a large lithium battery with green charging symbols on it.
Materials Shares

Should I buy PLS Group shares in April?

Can the ASX lithium share continue charging higher?

Read more »

A man holds his head in his hands, despairing at the bad result he's reading on his computer.
Materials Shares

Why is this ASX rare earths share sinking 13% today?

What's going on with this share today? Let's dig deeper into things.

Read more »

A construction worker leaps high in the air on a building site.
Materials Shares

Why are James Hardie shares storming higher today?

After a steep sell-off, investors may start to see strength and long-term potential.

Read more »

Young successful engineer, with blueprints, notepad, and digital tablet, observing the project implementation on construction site and in mine.
Materials Shares

Which ASX rare earths company's shares are trading higher on new funding news?

Two major government finance agencies have signed on.

Read more »