Green skies ahead: These 2 ASX 200 stocks upgraded their earnings guidance this week

The companies each upped their expectations for the rest of financial year 2023.

| More on:
An older farmer stands arms outstretched in a field with a big smile on his face.

Image source: Getty Images

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

Just because we're smack-bang in the middle of two reporting seasons doesn't mean there's no exciting earnings news to be found among S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares.

Plenty of stocks dropped updates over the week just been. And some of those updates saw companies upping their forecasts for the entire financial year 2023. We love to see it.

So, without further ado, let's dive into two ASX 200 stocks that made moves amid guidance upgrades this week.

2 ASX 200 stocks upgrading their earnings guidance this week

Graincorp Ltd (ASX: GNC)

First off the bat was Graincorp. The ASX 200 agriculture company saw its stock leap 10% on Thursday on the back of a notable guidance upgrade.

Graincorp posted $383 million of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) for the first half and a $200 million net profit after tax (NPAT).

On the back of what managing director and CEP Robert Spurway called "an excellent result", the company upped its full-year earnings forecast.

It now expects to bring in between $500 million and $560 million of EBITDA and between $220 million and $260 million of NPAT in the financial year 2023.

That's up from previous forecasts of $470 million to $530 million of EBITDA and $180 million to $220 million of NPAT.

QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE)

Unfortunately, the market didn't respond so well to a guidance upgrade from ASX 200 insurance stock QBE on Friday. Though, there was one detail in the company's quarterly report that might have worried investors.

QBE posted a 14% jump in gross written premiums on a constant currency basis. Additionally, its group-wide renewable rate increases came in at an average of 10%.

Looking forward, it expects its full-year gross written premium growth to come in at around 10% on a constant currency basis – up from its previous guidance of mid-to-high single digits.

However, the ASX 200 insurer also revealed natural catastrophes over the first four months of 2023 had cost it US$480 million – nearly 90% of its first-half catastrophe allowance. It also disclosed US$130 million of adverse development on natural catastrophe events occurring in late 2022.

The ASX 200 insurance stock plunged 3.76% to $14.59 at market close on Friday.

Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Share Market News

A cloud with a blue arrow pointing upwards through its middle symbolising a rising asx share price
Record Highs

Xero and 2 other ASX tech shares cracking all-time highs on Thursday

The price peaks follow a significant lift in the NASDAQ overnight following Republican Donald Trump's US election victory.

Read more »

A US flag behind a graph, indicating investment in US shares
Share Market News

What the US election outcome means for ASX shares

ASX shares are having a mixed reaction to the US election results today.

Read more »

Excited group of friends sitting on sofa watching sports on TV and celebrating.
Share Gainers

Why Block, GQG, Neuren, and Sigma shares are racing higher today

These shares are rising on Thursday. But why?

Read more »

A woman with short brown hair and wearing a yellow top looks at the camera with a puzzled and shocked look on her face as the Westpac share price goes down for no reason today
Share Fallers

Why Clearview, NAB, Resolute Mining, and Westpac shares are dropping today

These shares are under pressure today. But why?

Read more »

A young man talks tech on his phone while looking at a laptop. A financial graph is superimposed across the image.
Share Market News

Appen share price lifts 5% on oversubscribed SPP results

The technology company has announced the results of its Share Purchase Plan.

Read more »

A man looking at his laptop and thinking.
Bank Shares

Why is the Bendigo Bank share price tanking today?

There are a few things that could be driving this bank lower today.

Read more »

Male building supervisor wearing high vis vest and hard hat stands and smiles with his arms crossed at a building site
Broker Notes

1 ASX 300 stock just upgraded by brokers (and 2 downgraded)

Here's the latest ratings changes.

Read more »

Green arrow going up on stock market chart, symbolising a rising share price.
Share Market News

ASX 200 charging higher as Trump sweeps back into the White House

Here's everything that's happened in the markets.

Read more »