In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has dropped into the red following the release of a higher than expected inflation reading. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 0.25% to 7,471.7 points.

Four ASX shares that are falling more than most today are listed below. Here’s why they are dropping:

Best & Less Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: BST)

The Best & Less share price is down 7% to $1.96. Investors have been selling this discount retailer’s shares following the release of a disappointing trading update. Although the retailer reported a 13% jump in half year revenue, it expects to record a first half profit after tax of $13.7 million. This will be down 32% over the prior corresponding period due to significant margin pressure.

Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN)

The Evolution Mining share price is down almost 4% to $3.28. A number of brokers have responded negatively to this gold miner’s quarterly update. One of those was Ord Minnett, which has downgraded Evolution’s shares to a hold rating with a $3.20 price target. It was a touch underwhelmed with the company’s performance during the December quarter.

Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN)

The Mineral Resources share price is down 4% to $92.57. This follows the release of the mining and mining services company’s quarterly update. Although Mineral Resources reported a strong increase in lithium shipments, its iron ore shipments fell quarter on quarter. The company also revealed that its Mt Marion expansion has been delayed.

St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM)

The St Barbara share price is down 13.5% to 77 cents. Investors have been hitting the sell button after the gold miner delivered another disappointing quarterly update. For the three months ended 31 December, the company delivered gold production of 60,976 ounces at an all-in sustaining cost of A$2,666 per ounce. The latter is higher than the A$2,591 per ounce it received for its gold during the period.

The post Why Best & Less, Evolution, Mineral Resources, and St Barbara shares are dropping appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• Why is this ASX All Ords gold share crashing 16% today?
• Mineral Resources share price tumbles as lithium business takes off
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• Guess which four ASX 200 lithium shares charged higher today
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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.

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