In the past week, the S&P ASX 100 Index (ASX: ^XTO) was flat, closing on Friday up 0.1% at 4,431. The Aussie dollar ended the week up 0.6% at 90.82 cents to the US$. The gold spot price came down from around US$1,380/oz to about US$1,340/oz.
Here are the four top ASX 100 gainers for the week.
ALS Ltd (ASX: ALQ) price: $7.54 (+6.64%)
The testing and analytical laboratory service provider had a sudden share price jump of 5.01% on Friday. In late February, it released a trading update for the December quarter, stating its $44 million net profit was in line with forecasts. Net profit for the full year ending 31 March is expected to be around $160-$170 million.
Henderson Group plc (ASX: HGG) price: $4.66 (+6.39%)
For the year ended 31 December, underlying profit was up 24.2% to GBP190.1 million. This international fund manager is based in the UK, operating in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Funds under management (FUM) increased to GBP75.2 billion. Its goal is to double that by 2018.
Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL) price: $5.44 (+5.22%)
This developer of gaming machines, platforms and systems for the gambling industry is the market leader in Australia, as well as holding the biggest market share in gaming machines in the Asian region.
Its financial year ending 30 September 2013 had a $107.2 million net profit, more than double the $45.5 million profit in its FY2012.
QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE) price: $12.90 (+3.78%)
The international insurance and reinsurance company plans to reposition and right-size its North American business after announcing a statutory US$254 million net loss for FY2013. Its insurance profit was US$841 million.
Foolish takeaway
Of these four, I look forward to seeing how QBE Insurance will manage the changes in North America. It may take some time to turn things around, but long-term investors looking at the company's past track record may decide that this is just a short-term situation.
