Insurance and Finance

The spotlight is on Australia’s major banks as they report over the next two weeks, with the focus on revenue growth and capital generation.

Bank of Queensland delivered a firm first half and announced the acquisition of the Investec Australia finance and asset leasing business.

Australia’s Financial Services Inquiry; better outlook for Toll Holdings and Asciano; replacing 21st Century Fox on the ASX; and strong growth for McMillan Shakespeare and SG Fleet.

Following the sale of the last of Wesfarmers’ insurance business, brokers speculate as to whether the proceeds will be used to fund acquisitions, or shareholder returns, or possibly both.

Transition from mining investment, where the jobs are, subdued transport, impact of baby boomers on credit and retailer prospects.

Trading profits in US energy markets in particular have allowed Macquarie Group to define a solid profit increase for FY14, but is there anymore share price upside to be had?

The Chartist suggests Commonwealth Bank is offering up an entry point from which to exploit the stock’s longer term upside trend.

Michael Gable of Fairmont Equities takes a look at the technicals for Bank of Queensland, and finds a positive pattern.

Yield support on downside but a subdued earnings outlook on the upside and dividend hand-outs all but spent. Welcome to 2014, the year the banks became defensive again.

Brokers evaluate the insurance sector outlook for 2014 and wonder whether the pricing cycle is at a tipping point.