AWB shares dive after forecast cropped

AWB shares sink 11% after the company cut its forecast for 2010 following the sale of its financial services unit.

David Jones posts record first-half profit

Retail giant David Jones posts its highest first profit since it listed in 1995 and reaffirms profit growth guidance for the next two years.

Myer cautious as consumers turn wary

Excluding the cost of its share float, Myer posted a first-half profit but is less confident about the outlook.

Atlas narrows loss as revenue soars

Atlas Iron has narrowed its first half loss after a sharp rise revenue and continues to develop its second mine.

Boom times will be back soon: Gerry Harvey

Harvey Norman chairman Gerry Harvey predicts boom conditions will return within three years after the company posts a lift in its first half profit.

QBE shares slump on growth outlook

QBE says its full-year net profit rose 6 per cent, as global catastrophe claims fell sharply. Shares, though, sank.

Woolies reveals buyback as profit tops forecast

Woolworths signals a confident outlook with plans for a cash return to shareholders after beating forecasts with an 11.4 per cent rise in first-half net profit.

ANZ cash profit hits $1.6b

ANZ Bank shares jump after it posts a 16 per cent rise in cash profit as bad debt charges fell and interest margins expanded.

ANZ upbeat after cash profit jump

ERIC JOHNSTON ANZ shares jump after it issues an upbeat outlook on bad debts, saying provisions are likely to fall away from recent highs as cash profit hits $1.6b over four months.

Crown back in the black as casinos grow

Crown has moved back into the black with a net profit for the first half after solid growth in its Australian casinos.

Breville lifts profit, reaffirms guidance

Electrical appliance producer Breville Group has increased first-half profit, reaffirmed its full year guidance and says it's well positioned for the second half.

Newmont Mining fourth-quarter profit soars with gold prices

Newmont Mining Corp said on Thursday its fourth-quarter profit surged as gold and copper prices soared and it cut production costs.

REA group lifts profit to a record

REA Group Ltd increased net profit 76 per cent to a record, which sent the shares to a new high.

Valad loss narrows as business steadies

Valad Property Group has made a smaller first-half loss than last year and says its business is now stable.

Perpetual profit rises, outlook cautious

Funds manager Perpetual Ltd has reported a rise in first half profit but says it remains cautious about the immediate outlook due to difficult equity market conditions.

Lend Lease dodges ratings downgrade

ADELE FERGUSON Lend Lease's $800m-plus equity raising gets a tick from a credit ratings agency, avoiding an unsightly downgrade.

Toll shares tank after profit falls

Toll shares fall 18% after the transport and logistics group booked a 32% drop in first-half profit.

IOOF underlying profit surges 440%

Improved equity markets and cost savings drove IOOF Holdings Ltd's underlying first half net profit up 440 per cent to a record high, and the wealth manager expects a similar second half performance.

Tatts first half inches higher, expects better second half

Tatts Group Ltd's first half net profit inched higher as gaming and lotteries grew and the lotteries, poker machines and wagering firm expects a better second half.

Macquarie Telecom forecasts earnings growth

Macquarie Telecom Group Ltd has forecast an improvement in full year earnings after posting a significant rise in first half net profit.

No surprises in OZ Min's $500m loss

BARRY FITZGERALD OZ Minerals had previously warned that its 2009 profit report would be carry some nasty scars from the drastic financial restructuring it was forced to undertake when it had trouble refinancing its debt load during the global financial crisis.

Flight Centre almost doubles net profit, reaffirms guidance

Travel agency group Flight Centre has almost doubled its first half net profit and says it has started the second half of 2009/10 with significant momentum.

Goodman Fielder profit up 24.9%, performance solid

Food and dairy company Goodman Fielder Ltd has lifted its first half profit by 24.9 per cent and says the business has performed solidly going into the second half.

Firstfolio profit surges almost fivefold, builds distribution

Firstfolio Ltd has increased its profit almost fivefold as the company aims to grow across multiple financial products apart from mortgages, its main growth driver so far.

Origin profit falls 94%, underlying earnings up

Oil and gas producer Origin Energy Ltd has posted a 94 per cent fall in first half profit, but predicted increased earnings in the future.

Ramsay posts 46% profit growth

Private hospitals operator Ramsay Health Care has posted a 46 per cent rise in first half net profit, and has reaffirmed guidance of profit growth of 18-20 per cent for the full year.

Downer reaffirms annual guidance

Engineer Downer EDI has posted a small increase in net profit in the first half of fiscal 2010, and has reaffirmed its full year profit guidance.

Centro posts smaller loss

Centro Properties Group has narrowed its first half net loss to $63.2 million after lower property devaluations and a stronger Australian dollar.

MAp Group sinks to annual loss

MAp Group lands an annual loss in part because of a $345m termination fee paid to the Macquarie Group when the firm went solo.

IAG profit soars, confirms insurance margin upgrade

Insurance Australia Group has seen a massive turnaround in its fortunes after its first-half profit soared and the firm confirmed an upgrade to its annual insurance margin.

Crisis savages Iluka's books

BARRY FITZGERALD Collapse in demand that came with the global financial crash savaged the December-year earnings of mineral sands heavyweight.

Blackmores reports a healthy result, hopes for more

Herbal supplements company Blackmores has reported a seven per cent increase in first half profit and expects a healthy increase over the full year.

More muscle: Asciano gears up for turf wars

IAN MCILWRAITH After delivering a promising half-year result, Asciano's Mark Rowsthorn looks destined to spend the next few months lobbying regulators over business threats in key markets.

Brighter times for Suncorp

ERIC JOHNSTON Last year the perfect storm hit Suncorp, now clearer skies have been helping - but parts of the business are still causing headaches.

• Suncorp profit rises, dividend cut

Carsales profit jumps 51%

Carsales.com Ltd, which listed on the stock exchange last September, has reported a 51 per cent rise in first half profit and says it expects to exceed its annual earnings forecast.

Investors applaud Virgin Blue's guidance

Virgin Blue Holdings returned to profitability in the first half of 2009-10, maintained its annual earnings guidance and says it continued to see pressure on domestic yields.

Beach holds dividend steady as profit halves

BARRY FITZGERALD Beach Energy has kept the faith with shareholders by holding interim dividend steady despite lower oil prices and softer demand for gas halving its December-half profit.

Rex net profit falls

Domestic airline Regional Express has posted an 8.6 per cent fall in net profit on lower revenue amid a restructure and as the global financial crisis continued to impact travel.

Centro Retail swings to profit

Centro Retail Group has swung to a half year profit as a result of a slow down in property valuation declines and advantageous foreign exchange movements.

Macarthur Coal profit plunges

Macarthur Coal has posted slump in first half net profit, but says demand is improving and full year sales should be better than forecast originally.

Pac Brands profit jumps sharply

A year after the clothing and bedding maker said it would move most of its operations overseas, Pacific Brands has reported a sharp turaround in its fortunes.

Austar marks profit, sees steady economic recovery

Regional pay television operator Austar United Communications Ltd has swung to a calendar year profit after its subscription business expanded despite a difficult economic climate.

Mortgage Choice profit rises, sees tough times ahead

Mortgage broker Mortgage Choice Ltd has reported an 18 per cent rise in first half net profit, but says full year profit under its preferred accounting rules is likely to be up to 35 per cent lower than in fiscal 2009.

Hastie profit falls as company predicts return to growth

Hastie Group has reported a more than 30 per cent fall in first half net profit and says it is well placed to take advantage of economic recovery and return to growth in core markets.

Goodman loss widens on write-downs

Goodman Group has reported an increased first half loss as the property trust continues to write down the values of its investments.

Asciano shares jump on first profit since listing

Rail and ports operator Asciano reports its first half-year profit since listing nearly three years ago, slightly ahead of forecasts.

Skilled holds out hopes after profit drops

Skilled Group says it expects a stronger second half of the financial year after posting a 79 per cent fall in first-half net profit.

Mac sees 'solid' second half

The Mac Services Group has posted a 14 per cent rise in first half net profit, and says its second half year should be "solid".

Transfield profit jumps 32%

Transfield Services has increased its first half profit by 32 per cent and maintained its earnings guidance for the full year.

Southern Cross posts a loss after writedown

Southern Cross Media Group writes down the value of its US business and posted a loss for the first half of 2009/10.

GPT stung by failed joint venture

CAROLYN CUMMINS Diverisified property group GPT Group reports a $1.1b loss, most of which is related to the unwinding of a failed joint venture with Babcock & Brown.

Packer's ConsMedia undecided on cash hoard

James Packer's Consolidated Media is yet to make a decision on what to do with its large cash balance.

Aristocrat sinks back to a loss after legal cost

Gaming machine maker says 2010 is going to be another tough year, after latest results showed a loss.

Melbourne IT net profit rises 3.8%

Domain name registrar and IT services provider Melbourne IT Ltd posted a 3.8 per cent lift in annual net profit, and said infrastructure investment in 2010 would crimp profit growth until 2011.

Profit dips for Tassal but growth plans on track

Salmon farmer Tassal Group has reported a dip in first-half net profit but says it remains well positioned to pursue growth.

Price, sales drop send Oil Search profit down 57%

Oil Search says its calendar 2009 net profit fell sharply after falling oil prices and lower sales took its toll.

Sonic profit falls shy of estimates

Sonic Healthcare, the biggest operator of medical laboratories in Europe, reports profit that missed analysts' estimates in part because of the strength of the Australian dollar.

Gloucester reports 59% profit fall, but demand, margins healthy

Gloucester Coal has posted a 59 per cent fall in net profit for the first half of 2009/10, but says its volumes and margins remained healthy.

Ridley back in the black, upgrades guidance

Ridley Corporation has returned to profit in its first-half results and raised its full-year guidance.

APN swings to profit, business back to pre-GFC patterns

APN News & Media has swung to a full year profit and believes that business is returning to pre-global financial crisis patterns.

Amcor wraps up a profit rise

Amcor reports a 3% gain in first-half profit and is poised for a big rise following its $US1.9 billion takeover of Alcan Packaging.

Gunns shares felled by revenue drop

Gunns shares tank after the company said the strong dollar and weak demand in Asia lopped almost a quarter off its first-half revenue.

Challenger lifts pay-out on return to profit

Challenger Financial Services Group returned to a first half profit in 2009/10, and has upgraded its full year cash earnings guidance.

Fairfax jumps after rebounding to a profit

Fairfax Media shares surge after a rebound to profit, with the company saying revenue has returned to growth.

iiNet sticks to profit goals after interim rise

Internet service provider iiNet has reaffirms its full-year financial guidance after posting a 6.3% rise in first-half profit.

Ausdrill flags 'best-ever' result

Africa-focused drilling services provider Ausdrill says it will deliver its best ever operational result in the first half of 2009/10, with a net profit of $21.2 million.

Seven clocks up profit rise

Seven Network has reported a rise in first half net profit, after making net gains and impairment reverals of $620.5 million, and says its core media business is performing well.

NIB nabs better half year

DANNY JOHN Better underwriting margins and the recovery in financial markets have helped private health insurer NIB to a significantly improved half-year net profit result of $43 million.

Caltex profit rises, but sees challenges ahead

Australia's largest listed oil refiner Caltex Australia made a $203 million profit in calendar 2009, the higher end of expectations.

UGL says future rosy, despite profit drop

Engineer UGL Ltd - formerly United Group Ltd - has posted net profit for the first half of 2009/10 down 15.1 per cent on the prior first half, and says it expects full year underlying profit around $150 million.

Hutchison Telecom narrows loss after Vodafone merger

Hutchison Telecom posts a $467.7m annual net profit due to gains realised through its merger with Vodafone Australia.

Fortescue profit dives amid lower ore prices

Fortescue Metals reports a sharp fall in first-half net profit despite an increase in revenue.

NAB update lags rivals

DANNY JOHN NAB notches up first-quarter cash earnings of $1.1b but has seen little bounce overall from a year earlier.

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NAB shares slump as profit disappoints

National Australia Bank has reported flat first-quarter cash earnings, lagging stronger numbers from rivals Westpac and CBA, sending NAB's shares down 2.7 per cent.

Boart Longyear posts loss, sees improvements

Drilling services provider Boart Longyear Ltd has reported an annual net loss of $US14.9 million, but is looking forward to an improving market in coming months.

Centennial Coal profit falls, says demand is strong

Centennial Coal says it has posted a fall in first half net profit of 27 per cent and it continues to experience strong demand for its thermal coal.

Billabong profit falls 15%, reaffirms guidance

Billabong International has posted a 15 per cent fall in first half net profit and reaffirmed its full year guidance.

Austal first-half profit falls 8.5% on sales decline

Austal's first half profit declined 8.5 per cent as the ship builder's sales were hit by a decline in orders amid the global financial crisis.

Spotless profit jumps amid second-half hopes

Outsourcer Spotless Group has posted a 40.8 per cent lift in net profit for the first half of 2009-10, and says second half earnings should be higher.

PaperlinX reports net loss, sees improvement ahead

Paper company PaperlinX has posted a net loss for the first half year with earnings it described as "weak", but says it is making good progress in reshaping the company to secure its future.

Centrebet shares drop after revenues slide

Centrebet International expects its strong profit growth to continue for the full year after a rise in online wagering in Australia helped lift first-half profit, but it will dump its poorly performing on-course racing business.

Wesfarmers exits the doghouse

MALCOLM MAIDEN Wesfarmers paid a top of the bull-market $18b for Coles in 2007. At last, it looks like making sense.

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Wesfarmers stock jumps as results come out ahead

Coles owner Wesfarmers has unveiled a 1% rise in first-half net profit, prompting a sharp turnaround in the fortunes of its stock.

Qantas shares dive as profit plunges

Qantas shares dive after the airline posts a massive dive in net profit and ditches its dividend.

Qantas flies into trouble with its guidance

ELIZABETH KNIGHT Qantas appears to have fallen victim of its own attempts to manage the market’s expectations.

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AMP signals wiggle room for higher AXA bid

Wealth manager AMP, reporting a jump in profit, signals that it has room to improve its bid for AXA Asia Pacific.

ASX profit drops

ASX posted a 2.3 per cent fall in first-half net profit but said it expects full-year net profit growth off the back of positive third quarter trading activity.

NoniB posts rise in net profit, in stronger position for future

Women's clothing retailer Noni B Ltd has posted a 43.4 per cent rise in first half net profit and says it is in a stronger position for the future.

Country Road profit falls after Trenery start-up

Clothing and furnishings retailer Country Road has blamed a 12.2 per cent fall in first half profit on start up costs for its new store concept for the over 40s and says the slump should be temporary.

Austereo posts flat result as ad market recovers

Broadcaster Austereo Group has reported a flat net profit for the first half of 2009-10, saying the capital city radio ad market will be in gradual recovery over the current half year.

Upbeat PMP posts net profit rise

Printer and media services business PMP Ltd says its potential for revenue growth will be limited in its second half but the group has enormous potential to reward shareholders beyond the 2010 financial year.

Santos reiterates guidance for 2010 after profit drop

Oil and gas producer Santos has reiterated 2010 guidance after posting a 73.7 per cent fall in annual net profit to $434 million.

In business, it's the buzz

IAN MCILWRAITH It seems that so much straw is being spun into gold by Australian companies this profit season that Rumpelstiltskin is well and truly out of a job.

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Sims Metal returns to profit but says markets still tough

Sims Metal stock plunges after the company returned to profit but warned of uncertainty about future economic conditions.

Lihir reports loss against record underlying profit, production

Lihir Gold has reported a net loss for calendar 2009, against a record underlying profit and record gold production.

WorleyParsons profit drops 30.1%

Resources services provider WorleyParsons Ltd has posted a 30.1 per cent fall in first half profit due to a decline in activity across its markets, but maintained its annual earnings guidance.

Recovery gains pace

COLIN KRUGER Shares have surged strongly, consolidating a reporting season-led recovery from the market's slump last month.

Arrow mulls overseas float of gas spin-off

Arrow Energy has posted a half year net loss of $16.26 million, although revenue rose strongly.

ConnectEast turns the corner as traffic gains

ConnectEast Group is seeing traffic and revenue growth as the EastLink tollway ramp up continues and has posted a smaller loss than at the same time last year.

Warrnambool Cheese & Butter shares rise on revised offer

Shares in Warrnambool Cheese & Butter Factory Co Holdings rose this morning after the group received an improved takeover offer from Murray Goulburn Co-Operative.

Count first-half profit doubles as investments recover

Count Financial more than doubled first-half profit as the financial planning and accounting firm benefitted from an increase in the value of its investments.

Biota set for strong year on Relenza royalties

Anti-infective drug developer Biota Holdings Ltd says its net profit surged as the swine flu pandemic drove a rise in Relenza royalties.

Domino's first-half profit jumps 40%

Pizza chain Domino's has reported a 39.2 per cent increase in first half net profit after strong sales and upgraded its guidance for the full year.

Warm weather boosts Coke profit

Coca-Cola Amatil delivers a 16.4% gain in profit, and says it expects earnings growth ‘in the high single digits’. Shares sink.

Transurban eyes Lane Cove Tunnel

MATT O'SULLIVAN Toll roads operator Transurban, reporting a rise in profit, declares its interest in bidding for the Lane Cove Tunnel in Sydney.

AXA returns to profit as takeover looms

AXA Asia-Pacific, which is being circled by NAB and AMP, has posted its biggest annual profit since 2003, but made no comment on the takeover tussle.

Brambles profit falls, says well-placed to return to growth

Brambles has reported a 7% fall in first half net profit but says it is well-placed to return to growth. Shares, though, fell.

Ansell upgrades guidance as outlook brightens

Ansell has posted a 15% fall in first half profit but upgrades in its annual earnings guidance. Shares jump.

Reject Shop posts 22% profit rise

The Reject Shop posts a 22% increase in net profit for the first half of 2009-10, and says it's confident of achieving full-year guidance.

Swine flu bolsters CSL profit

Biotherapies group CSL reports a 23% rise in first-half profit and reaffirms its full-year profit forecast. Shares gain.

Investors frown at Westfield

CAROLYN CUMMINS For the first time in many years, the word disappointing has been used to describe the Westfield Group’s full year result.

Investors cheer as Westpac lifts market share

Shares in Westpac soar as a one-third increase in first quarter cash earnings underscores its strength, but the big profit also fuels criticism.

Residential drives Mirvac's upbeat outlook

CAROLYN CUMMINS Diversified property group Mirvac is confident that its residential division will provide a solid base for its forecast increase in earnings.

GWA books lower profit, predicts drop off in sales

Homewares supplier GWA International posted net profit for the first half of 2009-10 down 4 per cent, and sales it expects further falls in sales in the second half.

Macmahon pursues growth after first-half profit leaps

Engineering contractor Macmahon Holdings says a turnaround in mining and construction drove a 52.5 per cent lift in first half net profit and it is pursuing new opportunities for growth.

Wattyl swings to profit on cost cutting, expects modest growth

Wattyl has swung to a net profit of $2.4 million largely on cost and margin improvements and expects modest growth in 2010 as housing starts improve.

Beer gives Foster's a headache

Foster's misses forecasts with a 13.5 per cent slide in first-half profit as it lost market share in beer and wine earnings slumped

OneSteel posts 'solid' result in tough times

OneSteel has posted a steep drop in its first half net profit but exceeded analysts’ expectations during a tough trading period.

Primary Health profit soars 500%

Primary Health Care has increased first half profit nearly six-fold and expects earnings growth of 15 per cent per annum over the next two years.

Seek looks to expand market share

Online jobs agency Seek has posted net profit for the first half of 2009-10 up 12.6 per cent, and says it expects to capture a disproportionately higher market share as the economy improves.

Bendigo loses interest as war looms on deposits

DANNY JOHN The regional bank can thank falling interest rates for its profit doubling. Now comes the hard part.

WAN posts 15.4% fall in first-half profit

West Australian Newspapers Holdings has posted a 15.4 per cent fall in first half net profit but says there has been a significant improvement in the underlying financial performance of the business.

Bendigo Bank first-half profit doubles to $104.1m

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank has doubled first half profit as the regional lender remains cautiously optimistic about future financial performance.

Bluescope scraps dividend amid loss

BlueScope Steel expects to recover to a small full-year profit as domestic and export demand improves and steel prices rise, after reporting a first-half loss.

Healthscope slides despite profit jump

Hospitals operator Healthscope has posted a 17.5 per cent rise in half year net profit, and says it expects stronger earnings in the second half.

Crane Group profit halved

Plumbing supplier Crane Group has reported a 47.3 per cent fall in half year net profit, and says it expects full year net profit to be down 35 per cent on fiscal 2009.

Insurance earnings drive Suncorp profit higher

Suncorp-Metway has announced first-half profit rose as much as 45 per cent as its insurance business benefitted from more favourable weather conditions and higher investment returns.

Leighton's King bullish on construction future

Construction and contract mining giant Leighton Holdings says it is through the financial crisis and looking to make the most of project opportunities in Australia and Asia.

Newcrest pays dividend amid interest for tungsten

Newcrest Mining has posted a solid rise in first half profit after strong gold prices offset lower production, and says it is poised for earnings and output growth.

Clive Peeters struggles to break-even

VANDA CARSON The electrical and whitegoods retailer Clive Peeters has hosed down expectations it would return to profitability this year following a $20 million fraud.

Rio resumes dividends after aluminium rebound

BARRY FITZGERALD Rio Tinto is resuming dividend payments after the return of its aluminium business to profit limited losses from the global slowdown.

Rio profit surges by a third

Rio Tinto says its net profit for 2009 rose 33% with record iron ore sales and a significant increase in copper and gold production.

Platinum doubles profit on market recovery

Platinum Capital, the equity fund managed by Platinum Asset Management, has more than doubled first-half profit as global equities recovered during 2009.

Foxtel flags new broadband service as profit jumps

Foxtel posts a jump in first half earnings as subscribers increasingly added new services and products to their accounts.

Telstra's cloudy outlook

ADELE FERGUSON The latest results underscore the uncertainty facing the big telco even before the national broadband network kicks in.

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Telstra cuts guidance over decline in calls

A surprise dive in fixed-line phone call volumes has seen Telstra post a 3.3 per cent drop in first half profit and cut its forecast for full year revenue.

James Hardie profit jumps amid signs of life in US housing

Building materials maker James Hardie Industries has generated a 66 per cent improvement in third quarter operating profit and says it sees some signs of improvement in the US housing market.

STW posts 28% rise in full year net profit

Advertising and marketing firm STW Communications Group Ltd has posted a 27.9 per cent rise in full year net profit, and says it's optimistic about 2010 after a challenging first half.

CBA profit soars as bad debts drop

DANNY JOHN CBA delivers on its promise of super-charged profits for its latest half year with cash profit hitting $2.94b - but that won't flow through to dividends.

BHP shares jump despite cautious outlook

Global miner BHP Billiton signals caution over a global recovery, after reporting its weakest first-half profit in four years - but beating market forecasts.

AAco says working on strategic plan after '09 loss

Beef producer Australian Agricultural Company Ltd (AAco) says it is developing a strategy to strengthen its business after reporting an "extremely poor" result for calendar 2009.

Stockland swings back to profit

Property company Stockland has swung back to a profit in the first half of 2009-10 and says its entering the second half in "the strongest shape".

Computershare warns on second half

Share registry Computershare has lifted first half net profit by almost 30 per cent but says the second half may be softer.

Devine posts first-half profit plunge

Queensland-based home builder Devine has reported an 89.5 per cent fall in first-half net profit, but says its full year operating result should be up to 25 per cent higher than last year.

Suncorp predicts rising net profit

Banker and insurer Suncorp-Metway Ltd says its first half net profit will be higher than in the first half of 2008/09, following a strong contribution from its insurance business.

Boral profit falls amid gloomy outlook

Building products supplier Boral's first half net profit falls and outlook for the second half of the year ‘‘remains difficult’’.

AV Jennings in profit again, says new challenges ahead

Residential developer AV Jennings' first half results are back in the black after structural changes and a resilient Australian housing market.

DJ's outshines Myer - again

ELIZABETH KNIGHT It must be tough for Myer boss Bernie Brookes to constantly have his performance measured against the smaller but better performing rival David Jones.

Cochlear net profit jumps 8%

ELI GREENBLAT Bionic-ear implant company Cochlear has reported a first-half net profit of $75.25 million, up 8 per cent on the previous corresponding period, as sales dipped slightly on currency exchange rate movements.

BKI first-half profit gains 36.4% on special dividend

BKI Investment Company Ltd increased first half profit by 36.4 per cent as the equity investor benefitted from a special dividend from its biggest investment coal miner, New Hope Corporation.

Moore's mood lifts as Macquarie evolves

DANNY JOHN A profit of about $1 billion may be less than some had hoped for but is a reasonable outcome as Macquarie moves to become a global trading house.

Australand profit drops 31% - and there's more coming

Australand Property Group has posted a 31 per cent fall in calendar 2009 operating profit and says it expects to see a similar result this year.

Becton sees another first-half loss for 2009-10

Becton Property Group expects to report another loss for the first half of its financial year.

Optus customer growth drives 16% profit rise

Optus says third quarter net profit grew by 16 per cent with mobile revenues and customer numbers continuing to rise.

David Jones flags higher dividend

David Jones upgrades its earnings outlook as it reports 3.1 per cent growth in second-quarter sales.

Macquarie shares slump despite profit upgrade

ERIC JOHNSTON Macquarie Group's shares slide the most in 8 months after a cautious profit upgrade that fell short of the amount some analysts had been tipping.

Bradken first-half profit falls 26.4%, sees improvement ahead

Bradken has posted a 26.4 per cent decline in first half profit after the company felt the brunt of the economic downturn, and is looking forward to an improvement in trading conditions.

Reckon reports 20% rise in annual net profit

Software group Reckon has reported a 20% increase in annual net profit and announced a share buy back.

Rates set to jump, regardless of RBA: experts

CHRIS ZAPPONE Banks will probably raise interest rates above and beyond any official increases announced by the Reserve Bank over the next few months as they move to shore up margins after the federal government ends its wholesale funding guarantee.

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Avoca tips maiden profit in half-year results

Gold miner Avoca Resources is expecting to unveil a maiden first half pre-tax profit of $40.5 million.

JB's Uechtritz to bow out on top

ELI GREENBLAT JB Hi-Fi boss Richard Uechtritz has achieved a rare feat among corporate chiefs - choosing the timing of his own departure.

Record results for JB Hi-Fi as Uechtritz to exit

Retailer reports a 29% increase in first-half profit and announced CEO Richard Uechtritz will step down. Shares fell.

ResMed books 42% lift in first-half net income

ResMed Inc says it is well positioned for the future, after the sleep management company booked a 42 per cent rise in net income for the first half of the 2009-10 financial year.

Virgin Blue lifts full-year profit outlook

MATT O'SULLIVAN Virgin Blue bolsters expectations of a broad recovery in the hard-hit travel industry after upgrading its pre-tax profit forecasts.

Biota's Relenza royalties surge

ELI GREENBLAT Biota estimates royalties will top $32m for the December quarter for its Relenza flu drug.

Harvey Norman gives upbeat outlook

ELI GREENBLAT Harvey Norman reports a 4 per cent increase in first-half sales and says it expects first-half profit to increase by more than 40 per cent.

MAp's Brussels Airport sees improved earnings, traffic

Airport owner MAp Group says its Brussels Airport recorded a 5.8 per cent drop in annual earnings but traffic levels are beginning to improve.

ARB expecting to double first-half profit

Automotive group ARB Corporation Ltd says it expects first half profit to double after it achieved sales records in the lead up to Christmas.

Myer holds off lifting profit outlook

ELI GREENBLAT Myer declines to raise its full-year earnings guidance, despite a better-than-expected first-half result. Shares slide.

Keybridge capital reports $39m loss, priority to repay debt

Keybridge Capital, which invests in structured finance transactions, has posted a $39.2 million first-half loss and says its priority is to repay its almost $200 million in debt.

Challenger Wine first-half profit dips but shares soar

Challenger Wine Trust (CWT) has posted a small fall in first half profit and says the wine industry is facing major issues in the short term that will lead to lower grape prices.

Reece first-half earnings to be 15% higher than year earlier

Hot water heater maker Reece Australia Ltd says normalised net earnings for the six months to December 31 are likely to be 15 per cent higher than a year earlier.

Tabcorp profit squeezed by cash-strapped punters

Tabcorp reports a small drop in first-half net profit, as fees on horse races rose and punters had less to spend without government cash handouts.

Roc Oil shares plunge over cut in reserves

Roc Oil has slashed its oil reserves estimate by 20-25 per cent after a reservoir simulation at a key field, sending its shares down by over 30 per cent.

AMP mulls options as AXA highlights Asia assets

Takeover target AXA Asia Pacific has highlighted the funds flow performance of its Asia assets three days before French parent AXA SA can begin talks over NAB’s $13.29 bid for the local unit.

Devine reports strong sales ahead of results

Property developer Devine has reported strong first half residential housing and land sales ahead of the release of its interim financial results this month.

Profit upgrade: IAG shares soar

Insurance Australia Group is the latest company to join a rush of corporates upgrading their profit forecasts as the economy rebounds.

Avatar propels News Corp back to profit

News Corp shares jump as the media giant returns to profit in its second quarter, helped in part by the box office success of ''Avatar''.

Rural Bank reports better first-half performance

Rural Bank has posted a higher net profit for the first half of the 2009/10 financial year as a result of improved interest margins and tight control over costs.

Aevum swings to profit

Retirement business Aevum has swung to a half year profit and expects economic conditions to continue to show improvements.

Arrow Energy expects half-year earnings jump

Gas producer Arrow Energy says it expects its half year earnings to be up more than 80 per cent on the corresponding period a year ago.

Western Areas exceeds production targets

Shares in Western Areas NL rose after the nickel miner said it had exceeded its calendar 2009 production target and made a strong start to 2010.

Hills shares soar on profit upgrade

Building products and electronics manufacturer lifts its first half profit by 39.9 per cent and upgraded its full-year earnings forecast.

Westfield distribution in line with guidance

Westfield Group sets an estimated distribution of $0.47 per security for the half-year ended December 31.

FlexiGroup upgrades profit forecast

Consumer finance company FlexiGroup says its full year profit is likely to come in above earlier guidance.

IMF profit hinges on three cases

Litigation funder IMF Australia says its forecast full-year profit of up to $24m is dependent on three major cases.

Ramsay shares jump after profit upgrade

Ramsay Health Care shares surge to 20-month highs after the hospital operator raised its full-year profit forecast.

Earnings face some headwinds: Moody's

Companies are likely to improve earnings gradually in 2010, but potential headwinds are emerging as well, a ratings agency says.

Aristocrat rallies on profit outlook

Aristocrat Leisure, the world's second-largest maker of slot machines, expects its operating profit to be around $116 million for the year ended December.

Company earnings likely to grow: Argo

Argo Investments says Australian company earnings are likely to grow in the period ahead after reporting that first-half profit declined 14.7 per cent.

AJ Lucas shares slump on profit warning

Shares in AJ Lucas Group drop more than 10 per cent after the company tells shareholders to brace themselves for disappointing half-year results.

Lean times over, fat profits a while off yet

IAN MCILWRAITH Profits are nice, but professional and personal investors are focused on the longer term.

Navitas first-half profit up 45%

Education provider Navitas Ltd says it lifted profit by 45 per cent in the first half of fiscal 2010 on higher student enrolments.

Origin production, sales revenue up

Origin Energy's production and sales revenue rose in the final three months of 2009 compared to the same period a year earlier, new figures show.

ERA posts profit gain as uranium price rises

Uranium miner Energy Resources of Australia has posted a 23 per cent rise in annual profit on higher revenue from sales of the mineral.

Programmed downgrades full-year earnings guidance

Programmed Maintenance Services has downgraded its full year earnings guidance due to weaker maintenance spending in the commercial and retail sectors.

Alesco cautious as first-half profit drops

Alesco Corporation remains cautious as January trading was softer than expected, after reporting a first-half profit decline of 23.2 per cent.

Newcrest records 17% production rise, maintains guidance

Gold miner Newcrest Mining recorded a 17 per cent increase in production in the second quarter of fiscal 2010, but maintained its guidance for full year production.

Perilya ready to pursue growth opportunities

Lead and zinc miner Perilya says it is cashed up and ready to pursue growth opportunities as it prepares to make development decisions on several projects in coming months.

Ex-OZMin assets hit record copper production

Chinese-owned company that controls many of the assets formerly owned by OZ Minerals achieves record copper production.

Earnings preview

Profits back in season

CHRIS ZAPPONE Expect the good news on the economic front to find its way into the balance sheets during the upcoming corporate earnings season.

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Woolworths sales lack stimulus

Woolworths has posted the slowest second-quarter sales growth in at least eight years, as demand fell at its discount department stores.

Super Cheap Auto shares slump

Automotive parts and accessories retailer Super Cheap Auto Group expects a jump of at least 20 per cent in first half earnings following strong growth.

Industrea tips a rebound on China growth

Mining products provider Industrea expects second-half profits to recover after a tough first half .

Woodside output misses target

Woodside Petroleum posts a 13 per cent fall in its fourth-quarter output and misses its full-year production target.

Herd mentality points to bigger loss for AACo

Grazier Australian Agricultural Company cuts its profit guidance, saying it now expects to report a loss of $53m to $60m for 2009.

Sydney Airport lands 5.6% profit gain

Sydney Airport posts 5.6 per cent rise in unaudited profit in calendar 2009 and said it saw strong earnings growth in the final quarter.

Lihir Gold output hits new record

Lihir Gold says annual production will rise to 1.3 million ounces in 2012 on expansion of overseas operations.

Transpacific foreshadows slump in profit

Waste management business Transpacific Industries expects a drop of up to 23 per cent in first half earnings due to weaker market conditions.

AXA ups takeover stakes with strong profit

Life insurer and fund manager AXA Asia-Pacific telegraphs higher than expected profits, putting pressure on rival bidders to raise their offers.

OZ Minerals beats production forecast

OZ Minerals has exceeded its full-year copper and gold production guidance, in a successful first year at its Prominent Hill operation.

Country Road gives subdued outlook

Clothing retailer Country Road says significant set-up costs and margin pressures are likely to constrain earnings.

Computershare jumps on bullish guidance

The world’s biggest share registry, Computershare, says first-half earnings will rise 20 per cent, sending the shares to a record high.

Kingsgate beats expectations with gold output

Kingsgate Consolidated has beaten market expectations for December quarter gold production at its Chatree mine in Thailand and is planning growth projects due to the strong price for the precious metal.

Equity Trustees profit falls less as business picks up

Wealth manager Equity Trustees’ first-half profit declines 10.8 per cent, a smaller fall than the market guidance given in November.

Djerriwarrh expects recovery after profit halves

Djerriwarrh Investments anticipates a small recovery in revenue during the second half of 2009/10 after its interim net profit for 2009/10 dropped 49 per cent.

RP Data tips profit rise

Real estate information provider RP Data expects to report a first-half profit of $3.8 million, 19 per cent higher than a year earlier on strong subscription revenue.

CBA fails to ease bank fears

ERIC JOHNSTON Analysts set about hiking earnings forecasts for the Commonwealth Bank, but caution much of its additional earnings come from one-off areas.

CBA surprises with profit upgrade

Commonwealth Bank is going from strength to strength in the wake of the global financial crisis and expects a massive 44 per cent rise in first-half cash profit, helped by fewer bad debts and rallying sharemarkets.

WorleyParsons dives after profit outlook cut

WorleyParsons shares tumble after it cuts its 2010 full-year profit guidance, mostly blaming weaker conditions in the US.