Daily FNArena News - Australia

Operating earnings at Mineral Resources are expected to show a large skew to the second half for both lithium and iron ore.

The main surprise in the Woolworths sales update, in a positive way, was Big W, where like-for-like sales rose for the first time in four years.

Low quality items helped Macquarie Group beat forecasts in the first half but brokers suggest favourable winds continue to blow.

Brokers suggest growth will accelerate at Star Entertainment as new projects are completed.

Vocus Communications has expanded its transformation program and flagged the potential sale of NZ assets and Australian data centres.

Brokers welcome the strong quarterly gold production from Saracen and retain heightened expectations for growth in earnings and output over the next couple of years.

Personal care product manufacturer/distributor BWX will acquire its second US brand as it seeks to expand its presence in the US natural skin care market.

The number of ASX initial public offerings dropped in the September quarter but IPO performance remains solid.

Mount Gibson Iron is progressing with its re-development work at Koolan Island, with the project on track to achieve its first iron ore shipments in early 2019.

Increasing demand for nickel in the battery market has provoked interest in Western Areas. Some brokers, but not all, are on board with this theme.