S&P/ASX 200 to open flat: 15 shares reporting today to watch

The S&P/ASX 200 (Index:^AXJO)(ASX:XJO) is expected to trade mostly sideways today. Shares of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX:ANZ), Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX:DMP) and a2 Milk Company (Australia) (ASX:A2M) will be in focus.

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The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AJXO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to trade flat today following mostly positive leads from international markets overnight.

Here's a recap:

  • Dow Jones (USA): up 1.39%
  • NASDAQ (USA): up 2.27%
  • FTSE 100 (UK): up 0.65%
  • DAX (Germany): down 0.78%

In Europe, shares put in mixed performances despite an agreement by some major oil-producing nations to curb output if others followed suit. FTSE-listed shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) fell 0.1% and rose 0.5%, respectively.

In the US, an uptick in oil prices helped markets end higher.

Closer to home, the Sydney Futures Exchange is tipping a 6 point, or 0.1%, rise in the S&P/ASX 200.

Many shares will be in focus on the ASX today, but especially those companies presenting half or full year reports.

  • Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) announced a 99% fall in net profit with a 36% fall in sales revenue for its 2015 financial year.
  • Lend Lease Group (ASX: LLC) reported a 24.5% increase in revenue and 12.1% rise in profit for its first half.
  • Mesoblast limited (ASX: MSB) updated the market on its first and second quarter, showing a net loss of $33.5 million.
  • Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG) revealed 3.7% growth in revenue for its first-half reporting period, but profit tumbled 19.5% lower.
  • Sigma Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: SIP) announced an update with the My Chemist / Chemist Warehouse Group agreement, extending the existing supply contract for three years.
  • Reject Shop Ltd (ASX: TRS) announced a 5.6% increase in half-year revenue and a 42.9% jump in net profit.
  • Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) upped its half-year revenue 29.6% and increased profit by 48.8%.
  • Mount Gibson Iron Limited (ASX: MGX) revealed a 31% fall in half-year revenue and a net loss of $15.4 million.
  • Altium Limited (ASX: ALU) posted a 12.8% increase in revenue and 35% increase in profit for its half-year to 31 December 2015.
  • Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) posted an unaudited quarterly cash profit of $1.85 billion but acknowledged volatility in Asia would see the bank incur an $800 million credit charge, above consensus forecasts of $735 million.
  • Fletcher Building Limited (Australia) (ASX: ABU) reported an unaudited profit of $172 million for its half year reporting period, up from $114 million in the prior corresponding period.
  • a2 Milk Company Ltd (Australia) (ASX: A2M) increased revenue 86.3% to $NZ139 million and reported a profit of $NZ10.1 million.
  • Sonic Healthcare Limited (ASX: SHL) upped revenue 21.8% and profit 8% for its first half.
  • Trade Me Group Ltd (ASX: TME) increased revenue 8.9% and announced a profit of $NZ38.5 million, up 0.3%.
  • Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd (ASX: CCL) revealed a 3.1% revenue increase and 4.8% jump in profit.

Finally, in broker news, CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) was downgraded to a hold from a buy by analysts at Deutsche Bank, according to Dow Jones Newswires.

Motley Fool writer/analyst Owen Raszkiewicz owns shares of Altium and CSL Ltd, and has a financial interest in Coca-Cola Amatil. Owen welcomes -- and encourages -- your feedback on Google+, LinkedIn or you can follow him on Twitter @ASXinvest. 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 owns shares of Altium. 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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