It was a busy week for market updates last week, and with so many stocks making the headlines there's a fair chance you missed one or more big updates in your favourite companies.
Not to mention the fact that the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) was smashed, suffering its worst day in two years as the big four banks dragged the market lower.
Here's what happened at:
The Banks
National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB)'s cash profits came in just 0.3% higher than the previous year (excluding one-off charges in the UK that dragged down last year's result). Combined with the announced capital raising, shareholders could be in line for falling profits next year.
It's not just NAB shareholders suffering either, with Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) profits some $330m lower than in the first half of 2014, and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) third quarter profits $100m lower than in the third quarter of 2014.
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) smashed expectations, however, to deliver a 5% increase in half-year profit, and Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) hit the ball out of the park with a monster 27% increase in profit.
The Miners
Shareholders in BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) voted strongly in favour of the South32 demerger, meaning investors can expect to see a new company trading on the ASX from the start of June.
While it's not yet certain how good an investment a collection of BHP's underperforming assets could be, existing BHP shareholders can expect to receive 1 share in South32 for every BHP share they hold.
(You can find out more about the demerger in Andrew Mudie's articles here and here)
Shares in McAleese Ltd (ASX: MCS) have enjoyed a strong rally since iron ore mining commenced at McAleese's primary employer, Atlas Iron Limited (ASX: AGO). Nevertheless the company still doesn't look like a buying opportunity.
Finally copper miner PanAust Limited (ASX: PNA) might receive a higher takeover bid from Chinese shareholder GRAM. Despite this, contributor Brendon Lau predicts shareholders still won't receive anywhere close to the initial $2.30 bid that was knocked back a year ago.
The Retailers
Grocer Woolworths Limited (ASX: WOW) just keeps getting cheaper after its third quarter sales update revealed that total sales actually declined, an especially tough pill to swallow since competitor Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) grew sales in the same quarter by 5%.
Multi-brand retailer Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL) delivered strong results with like-for-like sales growing 7.4% and total sales growing 15% in the past 44 weeks. However margins fell, and with a recent 50% rise in share prices the company may not be as appealing as it once was.
(You can get Ryan Newman's take on whether SUL is a buy in this article here)
Shares in veterinary and pet sales group Greencross Limited (ASX: GXL) took a dive after weakness in West Australian markets caused the company to revise its profit guidance for the year.
Shopping centre developer Scentre Group Ltd (ASX: SCG) posted strong specialty store sales growth and is one of a number of strong income ideas for investors unhappy with the banks.
The Others
As a general rule, 50% of Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) trade below their offer price in their first year on the market. Accounting software company Myob Group Ltd (ASX: MYO) continued that distinguished tradition on Friday, closing just below its offer price of $3.65.
Junior oil and gas explorer AWE Limited (ASX: AWE) announced another major gas find at its Irwin-1 well, which is co-owned by Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG). Containing an estimated 149 billion cubic feet of gas, AWE and Origin are building quite the portfolio of untapped oil and gas reserves.
Finally Sino Australia Oil and Gas Ltd (ASX: SAO) was placed into administration after some shady dealings and an investigation by ASIC, a finding that Foolish analyst Mike King says is another stern warning of the risks of investing in Chinese ASX-listed companies.
