Daily FNArena News - Australia

Despite a reprieve in the first quarter, margin pressures are expected to continue for Commonwealth Bank. Will the bank sustain its dividend?

The flood of financial advisers leaving the industry post Royal Commission continued in the September quarter, and a growing number of those remaining are eschewing institutional association.

James Hardie delivered a very robust first half, lifting forecast profit for the full year and raising expectations for a re-rating.

Brokers observe Elders has withstood the impact of the drought better than many of its peers in FY19 thanks to its diverse earnings streams, although the outlook is subdued.

FNArena’s Monitor keeps track of corporate earnings result releases, including broker views, ratings and target price changes and beat/miss assessments.

Amcor has made a solid start to FY20 amid cost savings from the Bemis acquisition. Moreover, brokers have brushed aside plastic sustainability concerns.

Payment provider Zip Co has been boosted by the announcement of a strategic partnership with Amazon Australia.

The trajectory of Medibank Private’s margins is worse than many anticipated, after the company flagged higher claims inflation.

While reviewing the structure of its principal operations, Iluka Resources anticipates a market deficit in zircon and tight feedstock supply should underpin a positive outlook for 2020.

Low interest rates, weak loan growth & wealth income are weighing on the major banks and brokers consider Westpac’s measures to shore up its balance sheet are prudent.