The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to end the week in the red. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is down 0.8% to 7,349.5 points.

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

Baby Bunting Group Ltd (ASX: BBN)

The Baby Bunting share price is down 7% to $2.29. Investors have been selling this baby products retailer’s shares following the release of a disappointing half year result. Baby Bunting reported a 6.6% increase in sales to $254.9 million but a 59% decline in net profit after tax to $5.1 million. This led to the company slashing its dividend by 59% to 2.7 cents per share.

Integral Diagnostics Ltd (ASX: IDX)

The Integral Diagnostics share price has sunk 16% to $2.63. This morning, this diagnostic imaging services company reported a 36.4% decline in operating profit to $7.8 million. This was driven by significant cost pressures, especially from higher labour costs, driven by inflation and labour market supply constraints.

Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS)

The Pilbara Minerals share price is down almost 7% to $4.38. Investors have been selling Pilbara Minerals and other lithium shares despite there being no news out of them. Though, with some analysts tipping lithium prices to fall materially, there could be some profit taking going on here after stellar gains were recorded over the last 12 months.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP)

The Zip share price is down 3.5% to 58 cents. This appears to have been driven by concerns that ASIC could be about to make things tough for the buy now pay later (BNPL) industry. Potential new rulings could see BNPL providers face largely the same regulatory hurdles as credit card companies. That means they may need to look into customers’ financial health before opening a line of interest-free credit.

The post Why Baby Bunting, Integral Diagnostics, Pilbara Minerals, and Zip shares are falling appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• ASX BNPL shares deep in the red as ASIC turns up the regulatory heat
• Baby Bunting share price plunges as profits tumble 67%
• Own Pilbara Minerals shares? Here’s what the market is expecting from its half year results
• Earnings preview: Here are the ASX shares reporting on Friday
• Why this US$1 trillion milestone matters for ASX 200 lithium shares

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 positions in and has recommended Baby Bunting Group and Zip Co. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Baby Bunting Group and Integral Diagnostics. 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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