The ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) was eventful again this week. Here are four big stories you may have missed that affected businesses in the ASX 200 index:
IOOF Holdings Limited (ASX: IFL) wins against APRA
The diversified financials business won its court case against APRA in the Federal Court.
The Court decided that IOOF's APRA regulated entities and the five individuals in question did not contravene superannuation laws. The Court also didn't make disqualification orders against the five individuals and also awarded costs in IOOF's favour.
Premier Investments Limited (ASX: PMV) reports and impresses
The diversified retail business reported that its net profit after tax grew by 27.7% with retail sales up by 7.5% and underlying earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) up by 11.5%.
Premier Investments' board decided to increase the full year dividend by 12.9% to $0.70 per share.
The company continues to grow Smiggle and Peter Alexander globally and is confident of the global sales targets it set.
Major Ramsay Health Care Limited (ASX: RHC) shareholder sells shares
This week we learned that Paul Ramsay Holdings sold 22 million shares in Ramsay to institutional investors at $61.80 per share.
Even after the sale of this many shares, Paul Ramsay Holdings will still own around 21% of the issued shares.
But, the Paul Ramsay Foundation confirmed it has no intention to sell any shares in the medium to long term unless anything extreme happens.
More dividend increases from the income champions
Dividend increases continued from two of the most reliable payers on the ASX this week in their annual reports. Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL) and Brickworks Limited (ASX: BKW) both reported this week.
The property trust helped Brickworks' underlying earnings grow a little. Soul Patts' resources division suffered from higher losses which made regular profit go lower.
