The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) finished slightly down by 0.07% to 6,062 points as the US election result remains unknown.
Here are the highlights from the ASX today:
Nanosonics Ltd (ASX: NAN)
The Nanosonics share price was the best performer today, it rose by 12.5% in reaction to an update.
It gave an update for the first four months of FY21. The ASX 200 healthcare business said that unit purchases of consumables by end customers in the four months to 31 October 2020 were up 4% compared to the prior corresponding period – this refers to a period before the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, when comparing unit purchases of consumables by end customers in the first fourth months of FY21 to the last four months of FY20, there has been growth of 25%.
In the four months to 31 October 2020, the number of new Trophon units installed was 91% of the prior corresponding period (meaning it was down 9%). Compared to the last four months of FY20, the number of new Trophon units installed was up 16%.
Nanosonics CEO Michael Kavanagh said: "During the second wave of COVID-19 in North America, we have observed that hospitals in that region appear better equipped to manage the impact of the pandemic. Accordingly, ultrasound procedure volumes requiring high level disinfection did not seem to be impacted to the same degree as in the first wave. However, this does not guarantee that future waves will follow the same pattern in North America or other regions.
"Despite ongoing periods of uncertainty we remain optimistic about the future and investments in our growth agenda continue across the business as we look to further expand our geographical footprint and product portfolio. We remain committed to doing everything we can as an infection prevention company to support all of our customers during these unprecedent times."
Pushpay Holdings Ltd (ASX: PPH)
Digital giving business Pushpay announced its FY21 half-year result today. The Pushpay share price fell 11% in reaction, despite upgrading its guidance.
Pushpay announced that its total processing volume increased by 48% to US$3.2 billion. Management said it expects to grow its processing volume as it wins more churches and there is further adoption of digital giving.
Pushpay's revenue grew by 51% to US$86.6 million with operating revenue growth of 53% to US$85.6 million.
The gross profit margin improved by three percentage points to 68% and is expected to stay around this current level over the rest of the financial year.
Pushpay's earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and foreign currency (EBITDAF) rose by 177% to US$26.7 million. The EBITDAF margin improved from 17% to 31%.
The company said its net profit after tax (NPAT) improved by 107% to US$13.4 million and operating cashflow jumped 203% to US$27 million.
Pushpay upgraded its full year EBITDAF guidance range to be between US$54 million to US$58 million. It's still aiming for US$1 billion of revenue in the long-term.
Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)
The ASX 200 supermarket giant announced its first quarter sales update today.
Overall, total sales rose by 12.3% to $17.85 billion. Australian food sales grew by 12.9% to $12 billion. New Zealand food grew total sales by 6.9%, in New Zealand dollar terms, to NZ$1.88 billion.
Now to the non-food businesses. Big W sales went up 20.4% to $1.1 billion. Endeavour Drinks revenue grew by 21.4% to $2.65 billion and hotels revenue dropped 33.2% to $313 million.
There was a large increase in the amount of e-commerce sales with growth of 86.7% to $1.5 billion.
Woolworths also reported that $164 million was paid to remediate salaried team members for salary payment shortfalls. In total, $281 million has been paid to date.
In October 2020, Australian food comparable sales growth was in the high single digits, which moderated over the month. Growth in New Zealand also moderated compared to the first quarter of FY21. Endeavour Drinks and Big W have "continued to perform strongly." Despite the Victorian closures, the hotels business was profitable in the first quarter by materially down on last year.
