• The ASX declined for 4th day in a row
  • Qantas, Eagers and Platinum were some of the companies to report earnings today
  • The RBA is looking for candidates

 

The ASX 200 notched up another down day, its fourth straight this week.

But heading into afternoon trade, US equity futures in Asia were pointing up, signalling that a rebound could be in store for the S&P 500 later tonight.

Earnings continue to rule the day for the local market, and today we saw Qantas (ASX:QAN) posting a $1.4bn profit for the half vs the $456 million loss it reported a year ago.

But investors apparently weren’t too pleased with the turnaround job as the QAN share price fell over 6% today.

Eagers Automotive (ASX:APE) rose 9% after delivering a record underlying operating profit before tax of $405.2m.

Medibank Private (ASX:MBL) looks to have left its cyberattack woes behind as its share price lifted 6% following a 6% increase in NPAT to $233.3m.

Bega Cheese (ASX:BGA) meanwhile disappointed and tumbled 7% as EBITDA for the half plunged -26% to $71.6m.

BHP (ASX:BHP) fell 3% and is at a 2-month low despite a strong half report two days ago.

Platinum Asset Management (ASX:PTM) was the worst performer today, down 16%, after it reported a 37% slide in interim profits as declining funds under management slashed revenues.

Mewnwhile, Bloomberg has reported that the Australian government is seeking expressions of interest from potential candidates to join the RBA’s rate-setting board, the first time the role has been advertised.

This comes as the terms of two existing non-executive members are due to expire soon. Separately, deputy governor Michele Bullock will be speaking later today at 4.15pm AEDT.

China has apparently closed a number of schools across the country to halt the spread of Covid. This came as 10 students in the same classroom tested positive for Covid in the city of Hangzhou.

Consecutive days of jumps saw iron ore prices rebound towards an 8-month high, with the Singapore iron ore futures up 1% to $US131.05 per tonne today.

And later tonight, we expect to see key reports out of the US, including Q4 GDP, initial jobless claims, and Fedspeak by Bostic and Daly.

 

BIG CAP WINNERS

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Qube (ASX:QUB) rose 9% as underlying revenue climbed 23%, and underlying NPATA was up 37% for the half.

Kelsian (ASX:KLS) climbed 5% as underlying NPAT increased by 21.6% to $26.5 million.

 

BIG CAP LOSERS

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Blackmores (ASX:BKL) fell 6% despite a 20% increase in statutory NPAT to $24.3m.

Star Entertainment Group (ASX:SGR) fell 3% after posting a net loss after tax of $1.3 billion for the December half.

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