Here are the headlines from the S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX: XJO)(ASX: XJO) and Australian finance circles on Tuesday morning.
But first, here are the data points:
Australian Dollar ($A) (AUDUSD): 73 US cents
Dow Jones (DJI): down 0.5%
Oil (WTI): $US67.38 per barrel
Gold: $US1,201 per ounce
Australian Investing News
Making finance news today, National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) released its 3rd quarter trading update to investors revealing a cash profit of $1.65 billion, which represents a 3% fall compared to the same period a year earlier.
Read more: NAB’s profit dives 3%
“We have a long term plan focused on becoming a simpler bank that is better for our customers today and into the future,” NAB CEO Andrew Thorburn said. “Revenue is up, despite elevated short term wholesale funding costs, while asset quality and balance sheet metrics remain strong.”
Annuities and retirement specialist Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF) released its 2018 financial results showing an 11% increase in revenue but a 19% fall in net profit to $322 million. Challenger announced it will pay a final dividend of 18 cents per share, fully franked.
Fast food franchise owner Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) also released its 2018 financial report. For the year to July 1st, Domino’s reported a 7.5% jump in revenue to $1.54 billion and a net profit result of $121 million, up 18%.
“We delivered positive growth in all markets but after consecutive years of significant and compounding growth, our bar for success is even higher,” CEO Don Meij said.
Domino’s shareholders can expect a final dividend of 49.7 cents per share (75% franked).
Read more: Domino’s Investors Rotten On Result
Online comparison portal iSelect Limited (ASX: ISU) reported revenue of $181 million and a net loss of $13.3 million, down from a profit of $16 million last year. On an underlying basis, iSelect said it delivered an EBIT result of $8.5 million, which was within guidance. (Click here to learn what EBIT means). iSelect also announced a more permanent appointment of Brodie Arnhold as CEO, who has been offered a 24-month contract extension.
Finally, global hearing aids business Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) reported a 9% increase in revenue and a profit of $245 million, up 10%. The company will pay a final dividend of $1.60 per share and said set its 2019 net profit guidance between $265 million and $275 million.
Read more: Cochlear’s $1.60 Dividend
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