The week began with further falls on China's stock market and further attempts by the Chinese government to curtail them. What is causing the ongoing instability and what are the wider implications?
Mike King looks at the independence of financial advisors in Australia in this enlightening article, or as it turns out, the incredible lack thereof.
Andrew Page lays down a few key psychological factors that make us naturally poor investors in this brief but insightful piece. I wish I had read it earlier as I was guilty of making one of the mistakes he warns against just earlier this week.
Blue-chip healthcare stock CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) announced on Tuesday that the US Food and Drug Administration has accepted for review its recombinant factor VIII single-chain for the treatment of haemophilia A. People with haemophilia A have a shortage of factor VIII and can suffer from random heavy internal bleeding.
Then on Friday, CSL announced that it has secured final approvals to acquire Novartis' influenza vaccines business. The US$275 million deal is likely to complete in the next few days and will result in CSL owning the second largest influenza vaccines business in the world. During the week, Ryan Newman wrote two articles examining the buy case for CSL which can be found here and here.
National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) took the decision to lift rates on interest-only loans by 0.29 of a percent from 10 August. Brendan Lau examines what the change means for the bank's shareholders in this article.
Medical device company ResMed Inc. (CHESS) (ASX: RMD) released its fourth quarter results showing revenue growth of 9% but no growth in net income. The reduced profitability is partly explained by the presence of two non-recurring cost items in the latest quarter.
On Monday, iiNet Limited (ASX: IIN) shareholders voted overwhelmingly to accept the takeover offer by TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPM). The combined entity will be one of the largest home broadband providers in Australia.
Navitas Limited (ASX: NVT) announced its 2015 financial results on Monday including reported earnings per share of $71.8 million, up 39% on last year. Excluding impairment charges, the result represents an 11% improvement. Why were its shares sold off on the news and is it now a buy?
On Wednesday aged care provider Regis Healthcare Ltd (ASX: REG) revealed that the Supreme Court of Victoria upheld its appeal against the State Revenue Office Victoria, relating to a stamp duty assessment from a merger transaction in 2007. As Regis had already paid the original assessment, it will recognise a profit uplift of $19.5 million this year.
Another aged care provider, Estia Health Ltd (ASX: EHE), disclosed that it has acquired a further four aged care facilities in Victoria for $181.1 million, taking the total in the group to 53 facilities. What do the latest acquisitions mean for investors and is the stock a buy?
Stories from the smaller end of the market
Consumer products company, GUD Holdings Limited (ASX: GUD), reported a 19% improvement in underlying profit after tax to $36.9 million in its 2015 financial reports released on Thursday.
Ten Network Holdings Limited (ASX: TEN) has replaced its chief executive and chairman, Hamish McLennan, with David Gordon as chairman and Paul Anderson as chief executive. Will the changes make any difference?
IT consultancy, UXC Limited (ASX: UXC), announced a number of significant contract wins during the week. The contracts are service based and so will provide valuable recurring revenues for the company and include a three-year $15 million deal with Ausgrid and Endeavour Energy.
Payday lender Cash Converters International Ltd (ASX: CCV) went into a trading halt on Thursday after media reports said it was facing a class action. Should shareholders be concerned?
On Monday, diagnostic imaging company Capital Health Ltd (ASX: CAJ) advised that its underlying net profit before tax (NPBT) would be up by 58% to $16.1 million. However, reported NPBT is just $7.8 million with one-off costs related to acquisitions making up the difference.
On Tuesday, eye surgery company Vision Eye Institute Ltd (ASX: VEI) said that it expects earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation to be $27 million for this year, an improvement on its previous guidance of between $25 million and $26 million. Then, on Friday it was announced that major shareholder Primary Health Care Limited (ASX: PRY) has sold its 19.9% stake in the company for 94 cents per share. This is a higher price than what is being proposed by Pulse Health Limited (ASX: PHG), who have already made an approach to buy Vision Eye.
Junior biotechnology company, Admedus Ltd (ASX: AHZ) reported revenue of $2.9 million for the June quarter, up 36% from the previous quarter and 16% from the corresponding period. However, operating cash outflows were $5.8 million for the quarter and $21.5 million for the year. Are things still moving in the right direction?
Perth-based property developer Finbar Group Limited (ASX: FRI) gave profit guidance of $25.5 million for 2015 on Monday and then announced on Friday that it has been granted approval for a $72 million project in Dianella. Is the company a good option for income investors?
