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Business Description: ASX Limited (ASX) operates Australia's primary national securities exchanges. These include the provision of securities exchange services, derivatives exchange services, central counterparty clearing services, and registry, settlement, and delivery-versus-payment clearing financial products and associated ancillary services. It also provides market data services and investor education courses.
Strategy Analysis: ASX is a strong cashflow generator given its strong operating leverage. With relatively low capital expenditure demands, ASX has been able to sustain a high dividend payout ratio of around 90%. We expect this to continue. ASX lacks an appetite for acquisitions--not a bad thing. The company seeks to drive growth organically through product innovation and cost efficiencies. We do not expect this strategy to change.
ASX reported NPAT down 2.5% to $171.1m for the half-year ended 31 December 2012. Earnings were impacted by lower revenues resulting from reduced market activity, particularly in equity markets. Revenues from ordinary activities were $387.6m, down 5.6% from the same period last year. Basic and Diluted EPS was 97.7 cents compared to 100.2 cents last year. Net operating cash flow was $206.2m compared to $184.0m last year. The interim dividend declared was 87.9 cents compared with 92.8 cents last year.
The Age 21/05/2013 |
Optus says its 4G mobile network will reach 70 per cent of the Australian population by mid-2014. The carrier revealed it has upgraded 4000 3G sites to 4G in five capital cities and in Coffs Harbour, the Gold Coast and Byron Bay. It also plans to make its 4G network suitable for customers with dual-band 4G mobile devices.
The Age 21/05/2013 |
Hong Kong private equity firm Quantum Pacific Capital says it is best placed to resolve a dispute over the ownership of a troubled $5 billion copper and gold project in Java and is negotiating to grab back as much as 80 per cent of the project on behalf of former owner Intrepid Mines.
The Age 21/05/2013 |
Shareholders in Transfield Services were bracing themselves on Monday for an earnings downgrade following downgrades by other mine services operators such as UGL, WorleyParsons and the smaller Coffey International last week.
The Age 21/05/2013 |
The whole retail recovery story has wandered perilously off script over the past quarter. The start of the year held the promise of green shoots at the discretionary spending end. But as we near the close of the financial year, the fragile recovery appears to have been nipped in the bud.
The Age 21/05/2013 |
New Leighton Holdings chairman Bob Humphris has moved to dispel fears that its directors remain at war with its German parent Hochtief, insisting the relationship was "collegiate" despite the abrupt resignation of three fellow directors two months ago.
The Age 21/05/2013 |
Australian shares flirted with five-year highs on Monday, returning to levels not seen since the onset of the global financial crisis, as investors were spurred on by signs of strength in the US economy.
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