Ports and rail company Asciano (AIO.AX: Quote, Profile, Research) has offloaded its 3.44 percent shareholding in pallets group Brambles (BXB.AX: Quote, Profile, Research) for A$492 million, posting a A$85 million loss on its original investment. Asciano had built up a 4.1 percent stake in Brambles, which owns the CHEP pallets business, in August last year as part of an eventually unsuccessful takeover attempt. "This divestment is a positive step," said a Deutsche Bank analyst. Asciano shares have gained 9.95 percent over the past two days, closing at A$4.31 yesterday.