Earnings season is nearly complete with over 90% of companies on the ASX having already released their quarterly, half-yearly or annual reports. Though the results have done little to spark the economy – the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) has fallen by 1.3% since August 14 – let's have a look at some of the highlights so far from reporting season.
- Commonwealth Bank (ASX: CBA) broke its existing record for the highest recorded profit by any Australian bank in history with a profit of $7.68 billion for the year – an 8% increase on the prior year.
- Air New Zealand's (ASX: AIZ) net profit after tax (NPAT) took off with an increase of 156% for the full year. The company declared that "This result is one that investors, Air New Zealanders, customers and our nation can be proud of."
- Australia's largest national rail freight and port operator Asciano (ASX: AIO) increased its profit by 39% for the full year, aided by solid performances in its Pacific National Coal haulage division and Bulk and Automotive Port Services division.
- Austbrokers Holdings (ASX: AUB) NPAT soared 60.7% for the year, aided by a 34% increase in sales
- Super Retail Group (ASX: SUL) delivered a 23% increase in net profit for the year with strong like-for-like sales from all divisions
- G8 Education (ASX: GEM) announced a 62% rise in profits and a 51% rise in revenues for the year
- Shares in APN News and Media (ASX: APN) jumped 20% in a single day after it released a better-than-expected NPAT of $16.2 million – a fantastic result considering it announced a loss of $319.4 million the previous year due to a massive write-down of its New Zealand publishing business.
- Fortescue Metals Group (ASX: FMG) defied the falling iron ore prices and delivered a 12% rise in net profit to US$1.75 billion
- Leighton Holdings (ASX: LEI) boosted its profits by an incredible 240%, aided by the sale of 70% of its telecommunications assets
- Ramsay Healthcare (ASX: RHC) also saw its profits jump by 15.1%, which can largely be attributed to strong performances in its Australian and Indonesian divisions.
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Motley Fool contributor Ryan Newman does not own shares in any of the companies mentioned in this article.
