What you need to know about today's profit season results

Pacific Brands Limited (ASX:PBG) the highlight of the day

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It was also a rollercoaster day on the markets today, before the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XKO) closed 1.4% higher. All but 2 of the top 20 companies finished in the black, led by energy and financial shares.

We also had plenty of companies reporting their half year or full year financial results. Here's a brief summary of today's results…

  1. Accounting firm Reckon Limited (ASX: RKN) saw its share price sink 11.8% to $1.80 after net profit sank 14% – although underlying net profit was actually up 4.3%. Still investors didn't like the result much.
  2. Mining consumables firm Bradken Limited (ASX: BKN) had another shocker, reporting another loss after taking huge writedowns and restructuring costs.
  3. At the other end of the scales, Pacific Brands Limited (ASX: PBG) saw its share price soar 3%, as its turnaround gathers pace.
  4. National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) released a quarterly update, although the share price barely budged, gaining 0.9%.
  5. Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR) saw its share price rise 1.7% after the casino operator beat market expectations.
  6. Monadelphous Group Limited (ASX: MND) continues to struggle with the downturn in the resources sector, with revenues and earnings sinking and the dividend slashed (again).
  7. S G Fleet Group Ltd (ASX: SGF) posted a strong result that saw its share price close 8.7% higher. The car fleet management and salary packager saw revenues and earnings increase as well as a 10.5% increase in its fully franked dividend.
  8. Packaging firm Orora Ltd (ASX: ORA), also had a good day with its share price rising 5.4% to $2.35, after net profit surged by more than 27%.
  9. Annuity pension specialist Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF) saw its share price gain 4.7% to $7.18, but may still be trading at a cheap price.
  10. And finally, blood plasma group CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) posted a strong result and reconfirmed guidance for 5% profit growth for the 2016 financial year.

Tomorrow offers up more of the same, with a wide plethora of companies reporting results, including some that reported after the market close today.

Motley Fool writer/analyst Mike King owns shares in CSL. You can follow Mike on Twitter @TMFKinga Unless otherwise noted, the author does not have a position in any stocks mentioned by the author in the comments below. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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