Nufarm

Spark infrastructure Group (SKI), one of the leading infrastructure investment company with a market capitalisation of $1284.7 million was the worst performer in the ASX100 list for the 8th week. The company lost 12.3 percent or 18 cents to its stock price and was closed for the week at $1.25.

Nufarm (NUF), a company that manufactures and supplies various types of agricultural chemicals have posted a shocking $105 million worth of drop in its first-half earnings on Tuesday. The company came up with the announcement just before the investors were about to cast their votes on the fractional takeover from Japan based Sumitomo Chemical.

The Australia based agricultural chemical producer and supplier Nufarm (NUF) recently declared that it will go for strategic alliance with Japanese Sumitomo Chemical Company instead of signing a deal with China based Sinochem. Under the new proposal, Sumitomo is planning to obtain 20 percent ownership of Nufarm for around $610 million. The news will bring some relieve for the Nufarm investors as the deal will allow them to sell their shares in exchange of a substantial premium.

The Australia based Agricultural chemical producer and distributor Nufarm's (NUF) trading was boosted by more than 6 percent following an announcement of provisional takeover with China based Sinochem Corp which would value the chemical company at $2.84 billion. Sinochem will obtain 100% Nufarm shares for $13 per share under the deal.

Riversdale Mining (RIV), a coal exploration and mining company that operates in Australia and Africa was the worst performer in the Australian Stock Exchange that lost 9.1 percent to its stock price closing the week at $5.62. The company closed at $6.18 in the earlier week. Riversdale Mining’s market capitalisation was $1075.4 million.

Transfield Services (TSE), a company that provides services in sectors like maintenance, operations, assets and project management was the worst performer in the ASX100 index losing 13.4 percent or 36 cents in its stock price and was closed for the week at $2.31.

Dexus Property Group (DXS), a major property Company in Australia that operates at more than 260 properties worth of A$15 Billion was the worst performer in the ASX100 which lost 7.9 percent or 6 cents in its stock price and was closed at 70 cents.

Bradken (BKN) was the overall worst performing stock taking in a 40 percent drop in its share price. Among the worst performing stocks for the week 50 of 2008 on the Australian sharemarket were a mixture of commercial explosives, mining, steel and crop protection: Dyno Noble (DXL), Zinifex (ZFX), Boart Longyear (BLY), Bradken (BKN), Nufarm (NUF). These top 6 worst performing stocks for week 50 recorded losses above 10 percent by the end of the trading week. The overall worst performing stock, Bradken had a significant gap between the next highest worst performing stock.

Rio Tinto (RIO) was the overall best performing stock taking in a 17.9 percent increase. Among the best performing stocks for the past week (week 45 of 2007) on the Australian sharemarket were a mixture of mining, technology and farming products manufacturers: Rio Tinto (RIO), Newcrest (NCM), Computershare (CPU), Bolnisi Gold (BSG), Nufarm (NUF). The above stocks secured gains higher than 7.5 percent at the end of the trading week.