As flagged earlier this month, Australia’s largest travel agent posted a near 27% decline in half year profit due partly to Hong Kong protests, Brexit uncertainty, trade wars and greater depreciation expenses. 

Australia’s second largest miner, Rio Tinto (RIO) reported FY19 profit results slightly ahead of the market’s expectations. RIO will return US$3.7 billion via its record final dividend of US$2.31 per share, up 28% from the same time last year. 

Nine Entertainment Co (NEC) has reported underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) of $114.3 million, an increase of 5% on this time last year. NEC’s result reflects the challenges faced by the traditional media business and the improvements seen in its digital operations. 

Australia’s largest supermarket chain Woolworths (WOW) posted a 7.7% decline in half year profit to $887m. However, with revenues and underlying earnings improving across all units, the result seems to have slightly beaten most analyst expectations.

Vitamin maker Blackmores (BKL) has reported a 46% fall in first half profit to $18.2 million; revenue for the same period fell 5% to $303 million. Earlier this month, the 12^th of Feb, BKL lowered its profit forecast and said it would not pay an interim dividend, rather the cash will be ‘conserved’ to reinvest in the business. 

In challenging conditions, aged care provider, Estia Health (EHE) managed a slight lift to first half revenue, reporting a 9.1% increase to 316.1 million. However, net profit after tax (NPAT) fell sharply by 32.1% to 14.3 million while earnings (EBITDA) for mature homes (homes operating over 12 months or >85% occupancy) fell 12.6% to 40.9 million.

Super Retail Group (SUL) managed to lift sales over the first half of FY20 to $1.4 billion, a gain of 2.9% while life-for-like sales grew 1.7%. There were no major surprises in the numbers released by SUL with the retail group providing a sales and trading update around a month ago. 

Woodside Petroleum Ltd (WPL), Managing Director, Peter Coleman speaks with Tom Piotrowski about the company’s full year performance highlights, key milestones on major growth projects & the outlook for 2020. 

Australia’s national carrier, Qantas (QAN) reported a small decline in its first half underlying profit before tax (its preferred reporting measure) to $771 million, down 0.5% from the prior year.

Property classifieds business Domain posted a worse than expected 38% slide in half year profit to $12.9m. This was mainly due to a large decline in the number of properties up for sale. 

Iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) has reported a record net profit after tax (NPAT) of US$2.45 billion for first half (1H) of the 2020 financial year, marking an increase of 281% compared to the first half of the 2019 (1H19) financial year. 

Wesfarmers posted a solid 5.7% lift in half year net profit to $1.1bn. This was largely in-line with market expectations and was boosted most by its Bunnings chain. 

Hearing device maker, Cochlear (COH), has managed to lift first half revenue to $777.6 million while headline net profit after tax (NPAT) jumped 22.6% to $157.7 million. Underlying NPAT, which removes a $25 million after tax gain from its innovation fund investment, was flat.

The world’s largest mining company has posted a solid 15% lift in half year underlying profit (in-line with expectations) and a bigger dividend which fell shy of analyst hopes. 

Transurban Group (TCL) CEO, Scott Charlton speaks with Tom Piotrowski about the company’s half year results, delivery of major projects in FY19 & the strong revenue performance.

One of Australia’s largest energy providers saw its first half statutory profit after tax jump 11.4% to $323 million but its underlying profit after tax, which removes certain significant items, tumbled close to 20%.

Industrial property group Goodman (GMG) posted a 14.1% lift in Operating Profit to $530.4m for the six months to 31 December 2019. The result was ahead of market expectations. GMG is now the largest listed property group on the ASX.  

Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) - the owner of many well-known Australian wine brands – posted its pre-released half year results today. As expected, net profit for the six months to December 2019 rose by just 1.9% to $229.2m. 

Australia’s largest telco has released a first half profit result in-line with its own company guidance. Compared to the same time last year, net profit fell 7.6% to $1.14 billion with total income slipping by 2.8% to $13.4 billion but reported EBITDA increased 12.1% to $4.8 billion.

CSL Ltd has lifted its full year outlook after reporting solid first half results. Net profit after tax (NPAT) and revenue both made decent improvements thanks to a big lift in sales particularly for its immunoglobulins portfolio.

Suncorp (SUN) - one of Australia’s largest insurance companies and seventh biggest bank posted an 11.6% decline in Cash Profit to $365 million between July and December 2019. The result fell well short of what many analysts were hoping for.

JB HiFi (JBH) has risen above the current challenges facing the retail sector, setting a record $174.4 million half-year profit. Total sales growth for JBHI-FI Australia was 6.5% with comparable sales growth of 6.0%.

A look at dividends which form an important part of an investor's strategy and heavily influences how they choose which companies to buy. 

A look at how balance sheets and profit and loss statements work, as well as some financial ratios that can help inform your investing decisions.