The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) was eventful this week. Here are four big stories you may have missed that affected the ASX 200 index:
Special dividend from Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)
The special dividends continue, this time from retail giant Wesfarmers. The company reported that continuing operations profit grew by just over 10% to a bit more than $1 billion.
However, with all of the recent sales of assets Wesfarmers decided to pay a $1 per share special dividend along with the ordinary dividend of $1 per share.
Woolworths Limited (ASX: WOW) also reported
The other supermarket giant also reported its result this week.
Woolworths' continuing operations sales grew by 2.3% increase to $30,587 million, it showed a 1% increase of earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) to $1,445 million and there was a 2.1% increase in net profit after tax (NPAT) to $920 million. Woolworths also decided to increase its dividend by 4.7%.
Webjet Limited (ASX: WEB) wows investors
The travel agent business may prove to be one of the best reports during this reporting season. The Webjet share price has risen more than 41% since revealing its profit growth of net profit after tax (NPAT) by 59% to $31.8 million.
The WebBeds business is now the largest segment and continues to grow at a fast pace.
A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) impresses too
Another growth share to go up significantly on its result was the leading infant formula company.
In New Zealand dollar terms, A2 Milk grew total revenue by 41% to $613.1 million for the six months to 31 December 2018. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) went up 52.7% to $218.4 million. Net profit after tax (NPAT) increased by 55.1% to $152.7 million.
The company plans to spend more on marketing to grow in the US and China.
