The August ASX reporting season is now underway, and the next three weeks will shape how FY27 begins for many portfolios.
Hundreds of companies will report between now and the end of the month, as our full calendar shows.
Most investors do not need to follow all of them, but a handful of results carry enough weight to move the index and set the tone for entire sectors.
Here are five worth circling.
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Why this ASX reporting season matters
FY26 was a strange year for the Australian market.
The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) delivered total returns of 7%, with capital growth of just 2.77%.
Almost all of that came from one place.
The materials sector soared 47.48% for a total return of 52.11%, its strongest year since 2006.
Everything else lagged badly.
This ASX reporting season will show whether those sector dynamics may continue into the year ahead.
Five ASX reporting season results to watch
1. Commonwealth Bank — 12 August
Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) will announce its FY26 result and final dividend on 12 August.
Its third-quarter update showed cash profit of roughly $2.7 billion, up 4% year-on-year.
That figure was 1% below the quarterly average of the first half. Investors will be on the lookout to see if CBA can recapture some of its previous earnings momentum. Given the size of the company, CBA will provide an early indication of the overall health of the Australian banking sector.
Shares are scheduled to trade ex-dividend on 19 August.
2. Rio Tinto — already reported
Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) has already provided some relief to ASX investors. The mining giant reported on 29 July and set the benchmark for the season, with underlying EBITDA rising 28% to US$14.8 billion.
The interim dividend jumped 43% to 211 US cents per share.
Copper EBITDA surged 84% to US$5.7 billion.
Rio Tinto shares go ex-dividend on 13 August, with payment on 24 September.
3. BHP Group — 17 August
BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) rose 62% in FY26 to finish at $59.40 on 30 June.
Its June quarter operational review carried a warning, with FY27 copper production guided to 1,650 to 1,800 kilotonnes.
That compares with 1,953 kilotonnes across FY26, largely reflecting falling grades at Escondida.
Investors will be looking to validate the bull case behind BHP shares. This will also be the first full-year result under a new chief executive.
4. CSL — 18 August
CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) reports on 18 August.
The company has guided to FY26 revenue of around US$15.2 billion and NPATA of approximately US$3.1 billion.
CSL has also flagged roughly US$5 billion of additional non-cash impairments across FY26 and FY27.
Half-year NPATA came in at US$1.923 billion, leaving about US$1.177 billion required in the second half.
Any update, whether positive or negative, on the deferred Seqirus demerger will move the stock significantly.
5. Northern Star Resources — 20 August
Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) sold 1.543 million ounces of gold across FY26.
All-in sustaining costs of $2,698 per ounce landed within guidance.
Audited results and FY27 guidance both arrive on 20 August.
The company deferred that guidance while it assesses early performance from the KCGM mill expansion.
Foolish takeaway
This ASX reporting season will reward preparation far more than reaction.
The share price move on the day usually depends less on the reported numbers than on what management says about the year ahead.
Rio Tinto has already shown what a beat looks like this cycle. Whether the banks, the healthcare names and the gold miners can match it remains the open question.
Set a reminder for the dates that matter to your holdings, and read the outlook statements rather than just the headline profit.
