Insurance and Finance

Brokers analyse statistics on private hospitals and health insurers; are bank funding concerns overdone?; Google discontinues mortgage comparison; Micro Equities initiates on Over the Wire.

SG Fleet pleased brokers, delivering strong first half growth despite a competitive and subdued environment.

Bank of Queensland has triggered disquiet in the market, signalling for the second time in several months that margin pressures are building.

Macquarie Group’s latest update has signalled to brokers the upgrade cycle is nearing an end and there are fewer sources of positive momentum.

Retail and energy sector previews; Outdoor media and banking sector outlooks; internet consumer trends; Bell Potter initiates on IVE Group.

Medibank Private has upgraded earnings guidance but brokers remain concerned about the sustainability of margins.

Hospital usage and MBS review; insurer recovery; major bank exposures to oil industry; earnings season outlook for building materials; and Bell Potter initiates on Temple & Webster.

The Chartist reports there’s likely more downside for Macquarie Group shares short term, but the share price should be approaching a beneficial entry point for long term investors.

Torrid time for selfies; changes in franking ranks; US housing hits a bump; bank capital rules; flagging investor appetites; the Paris agreement impact on renewables.

Suncorp has confirmed broker suspicions with a downgrade to its first half insurance margin forecasts, amid rising claims inflation and a lower Australian dollar.