Morning market movers: 17 stocks to watch

Don't expect the calm start to the trading day to persist as Telstra Corporation Limited (ASX:TLS), News Corp (ASX:NWS) and Mirvac Group (ASX:MGR) come into the earnings spotlight.

a woman

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Our market could find reprieve from yesterday's brutal sell-off as commodity prices rebounded and global equity markets ended mixed in overnight trade.

The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to open flat this morning following its 1.7% plunge on Wednesday as investors got spooked by China's decision to devalue its currency for a second straight day.

European shares fell heavily but their US counterparts managed to eke out modest gains as the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil price jumped 0.5% to $US43.30 a barrel and iron ore firmed 0.2% to $US56.31 a tonne.

This could help major miners BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) claw back some of their 4.3% and 2.8% respective losses yesterday.

On the earnings front, media conglomerate News Corp (ASX: NWS) delivered a fourth quarter result that was ahead of what the market was expecting thanks to good growth in its digital real estate and book publishing divisions.

It's local rival Fairfax Media Limited (ASX: FXJ) posted a full year profit of $83.2 million that was in-line with consensus forecast and said revenue was up around 2-3% in the first five weeks of the current financial year.

Net profit for telecommunications giant Telstra Corporation Limited (ASX: TLS) slipped 1% to $4.23 billion as revenue inched up 0.6% to $26.02 billion for the year ended June 30, 2015, while property developer Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR) is aiming for a 6% increase in profit for 2015-16 after it announced an operating profit of $454.8 million for the previous year.

Fellow property company Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) is guiding for similar growth for the current financial year as it reported an operating profit of $653 million. Liver cancer treatment developer Sirtex Medical Limited (ASX: SRX) released its full year earnings that showed a 69% surge in net profit to $40.3 million on the back of a 19.8% uplift in global sales of its treatment doses to 10,252 units.

Other companies that will hand in their earnings report card today include casino operator Crown Resorts Ltd (ASX: CWN), wagering company Tabcorp Holdings Limited (ASX: TAH), coal miner WHITEHAVEN COAL LIMITED (ASX: WHC) and biotech Acrux Limited (ASX: ACR).

Meanwhile, there are a number of companies trading without their divided entitlements today. They include protective products maker Ansell Limited (ASX: ANN) and shopping centre operators Westfield Corp Ltd (ASX: WFD) and Scentre Group Ltd (ASX: SCG).

On the corporate action front, private equity firm Blackstone is working on a deal to buy integrated steel maker Arrium Ltd's (ASX: ARI) grinding media products business Moly-Cop, reports The Australia; Rio Tinto's Australian coal mines is reported to have caught the eye of New Hope Corporation Limited (ASX: NHC), according to Bloomberg.

Motley Fool contributor Brendon Lau owns shares of BHP Billiton Limited, Crown Resorts Limited, and Rio Tinto Ltd.. Follow me on Twitter - https://twitter.com/brenlau The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on ⏸️ Investing

A white and black robot in the form of a human being stands in front of a green graphic holding a laptop and discussing robotics and automation ASX shares
Technology Shares

Joining the revolution: How I'd invest in ASX AI shares right now

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) could usher in a new industrial revolution. Here’s how you can invest in it.

Read more »

Close up of baby looking puzzled
Retail Shares

What has happened to the Baby Bunting (ASX:BBN) share price this year?

It's been a volatile year so far for the Aussie nursery retailer. We take a closer look

Read more »

woman holds sign saying 'we need change' at climate change protest
ETFs

3 ASX ETFs that invest in companies fighting climate change

If you want to shift some of your investments into more ethical companies, exchange-traded funds can offer a good option

Read more »

a jewellery store attendant stands at a cabinet displaying opulent necklaces and earrings featuring diamonds and precious stones.
⏸️ Investing

The Michael Hill (ASX: MHJ) share price poised for growth

Investors will be keeping an eye on the Michael Hill International Limited (ASX: MHJ) share price today. The keen interest…

Read more »

ASX shares buy unstoppable asx share price represented by man in superman cape pointing skyward
⏸️ Investing

The Atomos (ASX:AMS) share price is up 15% in a week

The Atomos (ASX: AMS) share price has surged 15% this week. Let's look at what's ahead as the company build…

Read more »

Two people in suits arm wrestle on a black and white chess board.
Retail Shares

How does the Temple & Webster (ASX:TPW) share price stack up against Nick Scali (ASX:NCK)?

How does the Temple & Webster (ASX: TPW) share price stack up against rival furniture retailer Nick Scali Limited (ASX:…

Read more »

A medical researcher works on a bichip, indicating share price movement in ASX tech companies
Healthcare Shares

The Aroa (ASX:ARX) share price has surged 60% since its IPO

The Aroa (ASX:ARX) share price has surged 60% since the Polynovo (ASX: PNV) competitor listed on the ASX in July.…

Read more »

asx investor daydreaming about US shares
⏸️ How to Invest

How to buy US shares from Australia right now

If you have been wondering how to buy US shares from Australia to gain exposure from the highly topical market,…

Read more »