But first, here are the data points:

Australian Dollar ($A) (AUDUSD): 72.45 US cents

Dow Jones (DJI): down 0.3%

Oil (WTI): $US67.88 per barrel

Gold: $US1,191 per ounce

Australian Investing News

Making finance news today are a host of ASX 200 companies which release their financial results as part of Reporting Season.

In an ASX filing this morning Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL), the private health insurance company, reported a near-2% rise in revenue and a net profit of $445 million, down 1%. A final dividend of 7.2 cents per share will be paid taking the full-year dividends up 6% on 2017.

“The highlight for the year has been a substantial turnaround in customer advocacy and retention, driven by consistently delivering a better customer experience, more value and recognising customer loyalty,” Medibank CEO Craig Drummond said.

Read more: Medibank’s dividend rises as profit creeps higher

Accounting software company MYOB Group Ltd (ASX: MYO) reported a 7% increase in its 2018 half-year reporting period with a 10% fall in profit to $25.3 million. An interim dividend of 5.75 cents per share was declared.

MYOB said its number of online subscribers surged 61% during the period, compared to the prior year, to 492,000. “The first six months of 2018 has seen exceptional growth in our online subscriber base, reaching almost 500,000 online subscribers,” CEO Tim Reed said.

“This growth demonstrates that SMEs and accountants have embraced our Connected Practice vision for the industry and recognise the role we play to help their businesses succeed.”

Funds management business Platinum Asset Management Limited (ASX: PTM) reported a 6% increase in its 2018 revenue, versus the prior year, with a 2% increase in profit to $189 million.

Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR), one of Australia’s largest gambling groups, revealed a 5% increase in its 2018 revenue to $2.5 billion and a profit of $148 million, down 44%.

“Record normalised revenues and earnings for the company in FY2018 reflect ongoing operational improvements across the Group, and early performance benefits from new and upgraded assets at the Gold Coast and Sydney,” Chairman John O’Neill said.

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