The ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) was eventful again this week. Here are four big stories you may have missed that affected the ASX 200 index:
National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) cuts the dividend
NAB is one of the biggest banks in the country, but that didn't stop it from cutting the dividend. The NAB dividend was cut by 16% from 99 cents per share to 83 cents per share this week.
NAB's statutory profit increased by 4.3% to $2.7 billion and cash earnings grew by 7.1% to $2.95 billion. But the cash earnings excluding restructuring related costs and customer related remediation went down 0.3% to $3.28 billion.
But, the NAB dividend payout ratio was reduced as well, so the dividend is a bit more sustainable and will help it hit its balance sheet targets.
Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) reveals another special result
Australia's global investment bank has been impressive ever since the GFC and it revealed another great report for its shareholders this week.
The Macquarie FY19 net profit was up 17% to just under $3 billion and assets under management (AUM) grew 11% to $551.3 billion.
However, the share price dropped over 5% because the business guided that FY20 profit was likely to be lower than FY19.
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) impresses
ANZ shareholders cheered the result from their bank with its continuing basis cash profit increasing by 2% to $3.564 billion and earnings per share (EPS) rising by 5% to just under $1.25 per share.
The most pleasing aspect of the result was that the dividend was maintained at 80 cents per share, which means it kept up its income payment for shareholders unlike NAB. It has also been the only major ASX bank to do a share buy-back in recent times.
ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD) unveils another impressive result
In the 31 March 2019 quarter the healthcare company grew its non-GAAP operating profit by 15% to US$182 million. The gross profit margin also improved by 1% to 59%.
The share price went up around 10% on the day thanks to its acquired enterprise facing software-as-a-service (SaaS) businesses, such as Brightree and MatrixCare, doubled revenue over the prior corresponding period.
