The Australian share market closed 0.6 per cent up
The S&P/ASX 200 index closed 34 points higher to finish at 5,509.
The value of trades was $4.7 billion on volume of 617 million shares at the close of trade. The top three stocks by value were :ANZ, CBA and Wesfarmers.
On the futures market the SPI is 39 points up.
Economic News
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released lending data for the month of June. Housing Finance for owner occupation is up 5.5 per cent seasonally adjusted. Personal Finance increased by 1 per cent and Fixed Lending Commitments were up 2.3 per cent.
Company News
Ansell Limited
(ASX:ANN) has posted a strong increase in net profit for the full year to June 2015. The rubber gloves and condom manufacturer recorded net profit of $US187.5 million, an increase of 349 per cent on the previous year. The company will pay an unfranked final dividend of US23 cents per share. Ansell closed 15.8 per cent down at $20.84.
JB Hi-Fi Limited
(ASX:JBH) has recorded a jump in net profit for the year to June 30, exceeding market expectations. Net profit came in at $136.5 million, a more than 6 per cent increase on last year’s figure of $128.4 million. The company will pay a fully franked dividend of 31 cents on September 11. Shares in JB Hi-Fi closed 10.61 per cent up at $21.69.
Tabcorp Holdings Limited
(ASX:TAH) says Victorian thoroughbred Racing will return to Sky Channel after new media rights were arranged. Tabcorp stopped broadcasting the races back in June during a stand-off as it negotiated new media rights.
Carsales.com Limited
(ASX:CAR) will spend up to $9 million to buy a 65 per cent stake in Mexican auto website Soloautos. Carsales says the Mexican market is attractive as it is the second largest economy in Latin America with nearly 50 per cent internet usage among its 120 million people.
Nine Entertainment
(ASX:NEC) has signed a $185 million a year deal to retain its broadcast rights to the National Rugby League. It’s the biggest deal in free to air television history.
Kathmandu Holdings
(ASX:KMD) chief operating officer Mark Todd has resigned from the company. He will be replaced by chief financial officer Ruben Casey. Mr Todd has been with Kathmandu since 1998.
Best and worst performers
The best performing sector was Utilities adding 1.7 per cent to close at 6,757. The worst performing sector was Healthcare, losing 0.3 per cent to close at 19,134 points.
The best performing stock in the S&P/ASX 200 was JB Hi-Fi Limited
(ASX:JBH), rising 10.61 per cent to close at $21.69. Shares in MMA Offshore Ltd
(ASX:MRM) and Regis Resources Limited
(ASX:RRL) also closed higher.
The worst performing stock was Ansell Limited
(ASX:ANN), dropping 15.80 per cent to close at $20.84. Shares in Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd
(ASX:LNG) and Independence Group NL
(ASX:IGO) also closed lower.
Commodities
Gold is trading at $US1,097 an ounce. Light crude is $0.79 down at $US43.87 a barrel. The Australian dollar is buying $US0.7397
