Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Stocks to watch - 1st March 2010

ANZ - ANZ BANKING GROUP LTD - $23.14

ANZ Banking Group has increased its underlying profit after tax by 16 per cent to $1.6 billion for the four months to January on higher earnings, wider margins and lower bad debts.

ALL - ARISTOCRAT LEISURE LTD - $4.23

Aristocrat Leisure says 2010 is going to be another tough year, after difficult conditions across all markets contributed to the gaming machine maker's annual net loss of $157.84 million for calendar 2009.

WPL - WOODSIDE PETROLEUM LTD - $43.37

Woodside Petroleum has posted a rise in annual net profit and says sales revenue was down on lower commodity despite a positive boost from foreign exchange movements.

LLC - LEND LEASE GROUP - $9.67

Lend Lease has forecast a similar full year operating profit to the previous financial year and launched a $806 million capital raising to fund growth opportunities.

HVN - HARVEY NORMAN HOLDINGS LTD - $3.83

Retail giant Harvey Norman Holdings is optimistic about the rest of the financial year after lifting first half profit by 59.9 per cent and increasing its interim dividend.

WOW - WOOLWORTHS LTD - $26.84

Woolworths increased first-half profit 11.4 per cent as Australia's biggest supermarket increased sales and removed costs by streamlining internal processes.

CWN - CROWN LTD - $8.00

Crown has moved back into the black with a net profit for the first half after solid growth in its Australian casinos.

AIO - ASCIANO GROUP - $1.80

Transport and logistics company Asciano Group made a net profit in the first half of its financial year and expects to report annual earnings around the top of its guidance.