The reporting season picks up the pace this week but investors will have to navigate a soggy start for our market due to weak offshore leads.
The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) is tipped to open 0.2% lower this morning and its resource stocks that are likely to be the main drags as the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil price slipped 1.8% to $US43.87 a barrel and copper retreated 0.4% to $US2.3325 a pound.
However, gold stocks like Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) might get some reprieve as the gold price gained for a second day by 0.4% to $US1,094.10 an ounce.
But the spotlight will be on stocks outside of mining and energy. National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) reported a 9% increase in cash profit to $1.75 billion for the third quarter compared to the same time last year, while Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN) is expected to hand in its full year results later this morning.
All eyes will also be on rubber protection products maker Ansell Limited (ASX: ANN) as it announced a full year net profit of $187.5 million but warned of lower earnings for 2015-16, and childcare centre operator G8 Education Ltd (ASX: GEM) after it reported a 73% increase in net profit to $28.2 million for the six months to end June 2015.
Music and electronics retailer JB Hi-Fi Limited (ASX: JBH) is another to post full year results today. Management delivered a net profit of $136.5 million, which is above its May forecast of $127 million to $133 million.
In media and gaming, free-to-air TV operator Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC) secured the broadcast rights for four National Rugby League games a week from 2018 to 2022, while wagering group Tabcorp Holdings Limited (ASX: TAH) secured the media rights for Victorian thoroughbred racing until 2020.
There's also a lot happening on the corporate action front. Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) is looking to start the sale process of its stake in Indonesian bank Panin Bank, reports The Australian.
Online auto classifieds company Carsales.Com Ltd (ASX: CAR) will buy a 65% stake in Mexican peer Soloautos for up to $9 million, while radio and TV broadcaster Southern Cross Media Group Ltd (ASX: SXL) is considering selling some of its transmission assets, reports the Australian Financial Review.
Meanwhile, the chief operating officer of takeover target Kathmandu Holdings Ltd (ASX: KMD), Mark Todd, has resigned.
In other corporate news, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) is planning to curb loans to new housing developments, reports the AFR; and packaging group Amcor Limited (ASX: AMC) said it will consolidate its Des Plaines manufacturing facilities.
