The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) appears set to rally this morning with the futures market pointing to a 55-point gain at the opening bell, following a positive session for international markets overnight.
Here's a quick recap:
- FTSE 100 (UK): up 0.64%
- DAX (Germany): up 1.17%
- CAC 40 (France): up 1.1%
- Dow Jones (USA): up 1.03%
- NASDAQ (USA): up 1.86%
Corporate earnings season is well underway now and a number of big-name companies are due to take centre stage today.
Among them are Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) and the market regulator itself, ASX Limited (ASX: ASX).
Telstra reported its half-year earnings results this morning, reporting revenue growth of 0.8% on the prior corresponding period although the group's profit declined 4.9%. It also resolved to pay a fully franked interim dividend of 11 cents per share, comprising an ordinary dividend of 7.5 cents and a special dividend of 3.5 cents per share. This was consistent with the group's revised dividend policy.
Meanwhile, the ASX reported revenue growth of 5.8% to $409 million and operating earnings (EBITDA) of $312.8 million, up 5.5%.
Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN) reported its half-year results today, as well, reporting top line growth of 2.5% but a 15.8% decline in its net profit after tax to $452 million.
Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) and Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) reported their results too, and could thus receive some attention from investors today.
Elsewhere, it could be worth watching shares of companies such as CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) and Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd. (ASX: DMP). The CSL share price rallied 5.1% on Wednesday while Domino's dropped 6.1% off the back of their own earnings results.
