Next week looks set to be a busy one for the S&P/ASX 200 index, with a number of popular companies scheduled to release their latest results.
Here are a few things to watch out for:
CBA half year update.
On Wednesday the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) share price will be one to watch when it releases its half year update. According to a note out of Goldman Sachs, its analysts are expecting Australia's largest bank to report cash earnings from continuing operations (pre-one offs) of $4,329 million. This will be a 7.4% decline on the prior corresponding period and a touch lower than the consensus estimate of $4,405 million. Both the broker and the market have forecast a fully franked interim dividend of 200 cents per share.
Will CSL deliver a blockbuster result?
The CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) share price has been on fire over the last 12 months. Investors have been fighting to get hold of its shares in anticipation for another blockbuster result in FY 2020. Goldman Sachs has high hopes for its half year results on Wednesday and has tipped the biopharmaceutical company as a positive surprise candidate. This is due to highly favourable immunoglobulins market dynamics, lower sales from a key Kcentra product competitor, and a strong start to the northern hemisphere flu season.
JB Hi-Fi result.
Another half year result to watch out for will be from retailer JB Hi-Fi Limited (ASX: JBH) on Monday. Its shares recently hit an all-time high, much to the dismay of the short sellers that have been targeting it. They will no doubt be hoping that JB Hi-Fi falls short of the market's expectations in the first half. The consensus estimate is for half year earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of $244 million. The housing market rebound is expected to have supported demand for white goods.
