Here's a wrap of the big ASX 200 winners and losers this reporting season

August's earnings season had plenty of winners but a few losers too.

Winning woman smiles and holds big cup while losing woman looks unhappy with small cup

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

Since August is now over and spring has sprung, we can finally put this winter's earning season in the rearview mirror. It was an interesting season, to say the least, with the usual bevy of ASX 200 winners, losers, and surprises.

So today, let's wrap up August's earnings with a look at those companies that most delighted and dismayed investors. We'll start with the winners

Which ASX 200 shares were the biggest winners of this earnings season?

CBA and bank shares

It was a relatively strong season for ASX bank shares. Although we only got to hear from a few ASX banks (and only one of the big four), it was still a fairly positive affair.

Starting off with the biggest bank, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) had a pretty impressive slate of numbers when it reported on 9 August. As we covered at the time, the bank reported a 6% increase in cash net profits to $10.16 billion, which enabled CBA to declare its largest dividend in history of $4.50 per share, fully franked.

Also delivering some impressive numbers was Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN). This bank share delivered a 15.3% bump in cash earnings up to $576.9 million, with a 15.1% boost to its full-year dividends up to a fully franked 61 cents per share.

Dividend shares (outside the mining sector)

Even outside the banking space, it was a pretty pleasing season for dividend investors, with the glaring exception of miners (more on that later).

We saw big dividend increases announced from Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW), Transurban Group (ASX: TCL), Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE), CSL Limited (ASX: CSL), and Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH).

We also saw full-year dividend pay rises from Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) and Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL).

Now, onto some losers from this reporting season

Which ASX 200 shares left investors wanting more?

Tech shares

It ended up being a pretty lacklustre season for many ASX tech shares, with a couple of obvious exceptions. Leading the disappointments was arguably the WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) share price. Wisetech reported its earnings on 23 August.

Although this logistics solutions company revealed a 29% increase in revenues to $817 million, a 30% boost to underlying net profits, and a 31% increase to its final dividend, investors were clearly expecting more. The WiseTech share price tanked by 20% the day the earnings came out and is still yet to recover.

Another disappointing company was Appen Ltd (ASX: APX). Appen shares had a shocker late last month, reporting a 24% slump in revenues to US4138.9 million and a net loss of US$24.2 million. The shares crashed more than 30% when these results were revealed.

Although it only reported a quarterly update early in August, Block Inc (ASX: SQ2) was another tech letdown. Block shares lost more than 26% over August.

However, it wasn't all bad news for tech, with Altium Limited (ASX: ALU) delighting its shareholders last month. Altium reported on 21 August and impressed investors. The company reported a 19.2% spike in revenues to US$263.3 million and a boost in profits after tax of 19.6% to US$66.3 million.

Altium also upped its final dividend by 14.9%. Investors showed their appreciation by sending the Altium share price up by almost 26% when the earnings came out.

Mining shares

Although investors probably weren't expecting a repeat of 2021 and 2022's numbers this year, it was still hard not to be disappointed with what came out of the mining space this earnings season.

We'll start with the big one, BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP). On 22 August, BHP revealed a 17% drop in revenues to US$53.8 billion, alongside a drop in underlying profits of 37% to US$13.4 billion. As a result, BHP's full-year dividends will come to US$1.70 per share, down 48% from last year.

Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) was one of the first shares to report, dropping its earnings back on 27 July. Like its rival BHP, Rio didn't have a lot of positive numbers to show off. Revenues were down 10% to US$26.67 billion, while underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) fell 25% to US$11.73 billion.

Like BHP, Rio was forced to slash its dividend, with the miner declaring a final dividend of US$1.77 per share, down 33% on last year.

Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) didn't provide any relief to mining investors either. This company saw its revenues retreat by 3% over FY23 to US$16.87 billion, while underlying profits fell by 11% to US$5.5 billion.

Again, Fortescue cut its dividend too, with a final dividend of $1 per share declared. That's down a nasty 17.35% from last year's final payment of $1.21.

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Altium, Appen, Block, CSL, Cochlear, Transurban Group, Wesfarmers, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Bendigo And Adelaide Bank, Block, Coles Group, Telstra Group, Wesfarmers, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear and Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Earnings Results

A young male ASX investor raises his clenched fists in excitement because of rising ASX share prices today
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Guess which ASX 200 stock is rocketing 26% on better than expected results

The KFC operator has delivered on expectations with its FY 2025 results.

Read more »

Man drawing an upward line on a bar graph symbolising a rising share price.
Earnings Results

Which ASX 200 stock is up 5% to a 52-week high on results day?

This blue chip is having a strong start to the week. Let's find out why.

Read more »

A woman looks up at a plane flying in the sky with arms outstretched as the Flight Centre share price surges
Earnings Results

Web Travel share price rockets 13% on market leading full-year growth

Investors are sending Web Travel shares soaring today. Here’s why.

Read more »

Happy shopper at a clothes shop.
Earnings Results

Why did Myer shares just rocket 9%?

Investors are piling into Myer shares on Friday. But why?

Read more »

A woman looks up at a plane flying in the sky with arms outstretched as the Flight Centre share price surges
Earnings Results

Up 78% since April, why is the Webjet share price taking off again today?

Webjet shares have soared 78% since 4 April and are lifting off again today. But why?

Read more »

a woman holds her hands to her temples as she sits in front of a computer screen with a concerned look on her face.
Industrials Shares

Guess which ASX 200 stock is crashing 24% on results day

Investors were not impressed with this result. But why?

Read more »

A man in full American NFL playing kit crouches over with his arms across his chest in a defensive stance against a dark background.
Technology Shares

ASX 300 tech stock charges 7% higher to record high on stellar results

This tech stock delivered another impressive result this morning.

Read more »

a group of people sit around a computer in an office environment.
Earnings Results

Guess which ASX 200 tech stock is rocketing 12% on record results

Another half, another record result from this high-quality company.

Read more »