The market is down 23 points. The Dow Jones finished down 71 on light volumes. It was up 25 at best and down 76 at worst. It is down 4.14% from the high this month or down 648 point in two weeks.

Financial sector down 1.3%. JP Morgan down on accusations of corrupt hiring practices in China.

The S&P 500 closed down 10 to 1646. 1655 was seen as a significant support level. It has now dropped below its 50 day moving average.

The US 10 year bond yield in focus — it was up again (bonds down) closing at 2.882%, the highest yield this year.

A$ down from $92.34c yesterday to $91.30 on the back of a rise in the US$ as US bond yields rise.

Euro up as the ECB said that they could raise rates if inflation pressures emerged. Which they haven’t …yet.

The iron ore price rose $1.30 to $139.20 after a $3.30 drop yesterday.

Gold price down $5.30 to $1365.

BHP down 0.84%in the US and RIO down 1.61% — BHP closed at the equivalent of 36c down on its close here on Friday. They have results due out this afternoon between 3:30pm and 4pm.

Metals reversed yesterday’s rises. Metals down as the US$ rose. All the majors down over 1%.

US performers — ExxonMobil down for the 18th time in 20 sessions.

The Japanese market was up 0.79% yesterday. The Chinese market was up 0.83%.

European markets down. Italy down 2.46% and Greece down 2.95%. Spain down 1.86%.

Oil price down 36c to $107.10.

US Economics tonight — None (A fed Governor speaks)

RESULTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

  •  Ansell (ANN) — financial year profit of $US139.2 million up 5% and in line with an expected $US137.8 million.  EBIT was $US170.5 million. Dividend was 38c. The company expects the trading environment to be challenging in 2014. EBIT is expected to grow in the high single digits to low teens with EPS expected to be in the range of US112c-US118c up 5%-11%.
  • Coca-Cola Amatil (CCL) — 1H Net profit of $215.9 million down 12.3% and slightly below an expected $220 million. The company says Australian grocery trading conditions will remain tough and they see flat to a 4% decline in FY earnings. Interim dividend 24c. Have announced a special dividend of 3.5%.
  • QBE Insurance Group (QBE) — Interim Net profit was $US477m down 37% from $US760m. Cash profit was $US590m below an expected $US624m. Gross written premium volumes were up a modest 2% to $US9.4 billion. QBE reaffirms financial year insurance profit margin guidance of 11%. They expect premium rates to rise by 4%-6% across financial year 2013. Interim dividend of 20c.
  • Monadelphous Group (MND) — financial year profit of $156.3 million up 24.1% and a bit below a consensus figure of $159 million. They expect financial year 2014 trading conditions to be difficult and expect revenue in 2014 to moderate, which was expected. Dividend 137c fully franked.
  • Arrium (ARI) — financial year net loss of $694.7 million. Underlying Net profit of $168 million which was better than an expected $146 million. Impairment and restructuring charges of $961 million. Operating cash flow of $590 million up 26%. Net debt $2.115 billion. Final dividend of 3c.
  • Invocare (IVC) — Net profit up 5.6% to $21.5 million. A lower number of deaths were partly responsible for a estimated $0.6 million after tax impact. Fully franked interim dividend of 15c.
  • Cardno (CDD) — Record Net profit of $77.6 million up 4.7% which was in line with expectations. Fully franked dividend of 18c.
  • Commonwealth Property Office Fund (CPA) — Net profit of $145.4 million down 43.3% below an expected $185.8 million.
  • CFS Retail Property Trust Group (CFX) — Net profit of $295 million compared to $409.2 million previously. Consensus was for a $385.3 million profit.
  • G8 Education (GEM) — Underlying Net profit of $11.48 million up 78%. Underlying EBIT of $17.61 up 74% and in line with an average broker consensus forecast of $17.1 million. Dividend of 12c fully franked.
  • Macmahon Holdings (MAH) — financial year net loss of $29.5 million down 152.6% and worse than an expected loss of $10-20 million. No dividend.
  • NAB — 3Q trading update — Net profit of $1.7 billion up from $1.2 billion. Cash profit was $1.5 billion up 2%. The higher profit result comes after a reduction in bad debt at their troubled UK business, raising hopes for a sustained recovery in the UK.
  • NextDC (NXT) — Loss of $2.2 million down 79%, total revenue was $36.18 million. NXT has gone into trading halt pending details of a capital raising.
  • Hills Holdings (HIL) — financial year profit of $19.2 million in line with consensus. Dividend of 3.25c. Net debt $4 million.
  • Sonic Healthcare (SHL) — Profit of $334.9 million up 6% above an expected $328.6 million. Interim dividend of 25c. Revenue was $3.48 billion up 4.1%.
  • Oil Search (OSH) — Underlying NPAT of $US113.5 million was broadly in line with expectations and 6% above company compiled consensus of $US107 million. Interim dividend of US2c.
  • Woodside Petroleum (WPL) — Has resolved to recommend the Browse JV use floating LNG technology to commercialise the three Browse gas fields.