The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AJXO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to trade flat today following mostly positive leads from international markets overnight.
Here's a recap:
- Dow Jones (USA): up 1.39%
- NASDAQ (USA): up 2.27%
- FTSE 100 (UK): up 0.65%
- DAX (Germany): down 0.78%
In Europe, shares put in mixed performances despite an agreement by some major oil-producing nations to curb output if others followed suit. FTSE-listed shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) fell 0.1% and rose 0.5%, respectively.
In the US, an uptick in oil prices helped markets end higher.
Closer to home, the Sydney Futures Exchange is tipping a 6 point, or 0.1%, rise in the S&P/ASX 200.
Many shares will be in focus on the ASX today, but especially those companies presenting half or full year reports.
- Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) announced a 99% fall in net profit with a 36% fall in sales revenue for its 2015 financial year.
- Lend Lease Group (ASX: LLC) reported a 24.5% increase in revenue and 12.1% rise in profit for its first half.
- Mesoblast limited (ASX: MSB) updated the market on its first and second quarter, showing a net loss of $33.5 million.
- Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG) revealed 3.7% growth in revenue for its first-half reporting period, but profit tumbled 19.5% lower.
- Sigma Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: SIP) announced an update with the My Chemist / Chemist Warehouse Group agreement, extending the existing supply contract for three years.
- Reject Shop Ltd (ASX: TRS) announced a 5.6% increase in half-year revenue and a 42.9% jump in net profit.
- Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) upped its half-year revenue 29.6% and increased profit by 48.8%.
- Mount Gibson Iron Limited (ASX: MGX) revealed a 31% fall in half-year revenue and a net loss of $15.4 million.
- Altium Limited (ASX: ALU) posted a 12.8% increase in revenue and 35% increase in profit for its half-year to 31 December 2015.
- Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) posted an unaudited quarterly cash profit of $1.85 billion but acknowledged volatility in Asia would see the bank incur an $800 million credit charge, above consensus forecasts of $735 million.
- Fletcher Building Limited (Australia) (ASX: ABU) reported an unaudited profit of $172 million for its half year reporting period, up from $114 million in the prior corresponding period.
- a2 Milk Company Ltd (Australia) (ASX: A2M) increased revenue 86.3% to $NZ139 million and reported a profit of $NZ10.1 million.
- Sonic Healthcare Limited (ASX: SHL) upped revenue 21.8% and profit 8% for its first half.
- Trade Me Group Ltd (ASX: TME) increased revenue 8.9% and announced a profit of $NZ38.5 million, up 0.3%.
- Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd (ASX: CCL) revealed a 3.1% revenue increase and 4.8% jump in profit.
Finally, in broker news, CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) was downgraded to a hold from a buy by analysts at Deutsche Bank, according to Dow Jones Newswires.
