Summary: Friday 15-February-2019

After an indifferent start, the S&P/ASX 200 pushes into positive territory to finish the session with modest gains. The market focus is once again on company financial reports which have so far generally met expectations on revenue but underperformed on earnings. Telco, property and energy stocks drive the market higher.

S&P/ASX 200 Intraday


Lynas Corporation (LYC) jumps 11.9% after reaching an agreement with the Malaysian government and regulators on how to manage the NUF residues produced that its operating plant. Negotiations are continuing on its WLP waste by-product.

Aveo Group (AOG) rallies 10.1% despite being downgraded yesterday by Macquarie Equities and JP Morgan.

Automotive Holdings Group (AHG) tumbles 8.1% after announcing first-half impairment charges of $226 million, mostly related to the value of its franchised automotive business ($147 million) and refrigerated logistics division ($79 million).

Domain Holdings Australia (DHG) soars 21.1% after presenting a better-than-expected FY19 outlook statement citing positive trends in its 'growth initiatives' and lower underlying costs. Analysts also encouraged by its half-yearly results which showed a marginal 0.3% fall in revenue and a 7.1% decline in EBITDA.

Online lottery business Jumbo Interactive (JIN) climbs 6.3% after upgrading its guidance on transaction volumes, revenue and underlying earnings.

S&P/ASX Sector Indices (% change)

Health insurer Medibank Private (MPL) gains 2.9% despite reporting a 15.4% drop in half-yearly net profit. Revenue for the period was up 2.7%.

Baby Bunting (BBN) slides 6.0% despite announcing a 25.0% rise in half-yearly net profit. Revenue was up 17.1%.

Whitehaven Coal (WHC) sheds 6.7% even though it delivers a 19.4% rise in half-yearly net profit. Revenue was up 10.8%.

Link Administration Holdings (LNK) slips 1.3% after posting a 187.4% rise in half-yearly net profit. Revenue was up 41.9%.

Healius (HLS), formerly Primary Health Care (PRY), adds 0.3% after reporting a 6.3% drop in statutory net profit. Revenue was up 4.7%. Management cuts its underlying net profit guidance from $100 million to a range of $93-$98 million.

Dental group SDI surges 9.5% after reporting a 171.8% rise in half-yearly net profit. Revenue was up 10.3%

Abacus Property Group (ABP) and Vicinity Centres (VCX) both slip marginally after reporting a 7.8% rise and a 70.5% fall in first-half earnings respectively.

Ausbank (ABA) edges 0.2% higher after announcing a 5.0% rise in half-yearly net profit. Income for the period was up 4.3%.

ASX Market Moving Stocks

In the US, the Dow rallies on hopes of a trade deal with China.

The University of Michigan consumer sentiment index rebounds 4.7% to 95.5 in February 2019 (consensus: 93.0).

US industrial production slumps 0.6% in January 2019, in line with weaker trends evident recently in Europe. Manufacturing output was down 0.9% in the month.

Asset Class Performance (yearly % total return)