The futures market is pointing to another 20-point gain at the opening bell this morning, boding well for the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) after yesterday's 67-point climb.
Here's a quick recap:
- FTSE 100 (UK): up 0.29%
- DAX (Germany): up 0.06%
- CAC 40 (France): up 1.11%
- Dow Jones (USA): up 1.23%
- NASDAQ (USA): up 1.58%
Companies reporting their earnings results will continue to command the market's attention today.
Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL), whose share price rose 1% to $3.04 on Thursday, reported its interim results. The insurer's premium revenue rose 1.8% to $3.18 billion while its net profit rose 5.9% to $245.6 million.
Baby Bunting Group Ltd (ASX: BBN) reported a 9.8% increase in sales although comparable store sales declined 1.7%, with price deflation of 4.3%. It did, however, say that momentum has been building with comparable store sales growth of 4.5% during the first six weeks of the second half.
Auckland International Airport Ltd (ASX: AIA) issued its interim results, too, reporting revenue growth of 6.9% and underlying earnings growth of 7.8%. That was on the back of a 6.4% increase in passenger movements. The interim dividend also rose by 7.5% to 10.75 cents per share.
Primary Health Care Limited (ASX: PRY) reported revenue of $856.5 million, up 5.9% on the prior corresponding period, while its profit rose 5% to $44 million. The company did increase its interim dividend to 5.1 cents, up from 4.8 cents previously.
And iSelect Ltd (ASX: ISU) reported its results, with revenue climbing 7% and underlying operating earnings (EBITDA) up 20%.
Other companies that could also receive some attention include Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd. (ASX: DMP), whose shares have now fallen 12% in the past three sessions, and Healthscope Ltd (ASX: HSO), which declined 4.8% on Thursday.
