Skip to content

We want to clarify that IG International does not have an official Line account at this time. We have not established any official presence on Line messaging platform. Therefore, any accounts claiming to represent IG International on Line are unauthorized and should be considered as fake.
CFDs are complex instruments. 72% of retail client accounts lose money when trading CFDs, with this investment provider. You can lose your money rapidly due to leverage. Please ensure you understand how this product works and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing money.
CFDs are complex instruments. 72% of retail client accounts lose money when trading CFDs, with this investment provider. You can lose your money rapidly due to leverage. Please ensure you understand how this product works and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing money.

ASX Reporting Season: what to expect from this half’s results

ASX Reporting Season for the half picks up this week, and will continue for the next 4 weeks.

Source: Bloomberg

The market data that matters (ASX200):

Est. Trailing EPS Growth (YoY)

Current
Price-to-Earnings

Est. FY1
Price-to-Earnings

Current Dividend Yield

-19.3%

20.07

21.60

3.92%

What is the market expecting out of this earnings season?

The market is prepared for a soft reporting period for Australian corporates. The results delivered by companies will encompass the deepest depths of the Covid-19 recession in Australia, with the effects of the downturn tipped to show-up clearly in earnings. Given expectations are set so low, the market will be primarily focused on what companies say about the future, what shape the recovery for the broader economy and corporate profits may take, and what risks exist to any guidance provided.

What are the key themes to watch out of earnings season?

What has the impact of the Covid-19 recession been on earnings?

The impact of the Covid-19 recession on earnings growth across the ASX200 is expected to be considerable. Estimates for the contraction in EPS growth range from around -15% to -20%, with Bloomberg’s consensus estimate suggesting a -19.3% decline over the past 12 months. A close eye this reporting season will be kept on earnings reported by companies in what have proven to be the most sensitive sectors to economic lockdowns and social distancing measures: consumer discretionary, financials and real estate.

What guidance can companies provide investors about the future?

That it will be a historically poor earnings season is taken as given. But the performance of the market this earnings period will rest on what corporates can say about the future. ASX-listed companies have been reticent when it comes to delivering forward guidance to the market as uncertainty about the crisis reined, and as regulators eased disclosure obligations. With valuations still lofty, and indicating prices have run some way ahead of forward earnings, the market will be searching for clear and positive guidance about the path forward for profits from companies.

Dividends, capital raisings and (for the banks) provisions.

Some other key issues will cut down the sector and industry lines. The prospect for further capitals raises will be closely watched amongst market participants, as certain companies battle to remain well-capitalized during the Covid-19 crisis. The extent of dividend cuts, especially amongst the systemically important banks, will be crucial to the ASX200’s performance this reporting period. And specific to the banks, what provisions they plan to set aside for bad debts will be a keenly awaited barometer on the current state of the broader Australian economy.

Source: Bloomberg

How could this earnings season impact the financial markets?

The ASX200 has remained in consolidation-mode for months. After hitting post-crisis highs in early June, the index has traded sideways, oscillating around the key 6000-level. The trend for the market appears skewed to the upside in the medium term, with indicators of momentum all pointing to a market absent of a directional bias in the short-term. Investors will be watching for a catalyst for the market to break to the upside during this reporting period. The ASX200’s 200-day EMA remains a key level of resistance, while a breakthrough June’s 6220 an indicator the index is renewing its recovery.

Source: Bloomberg

This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients.

See an opportunity to trade?

Go long or short on more than 17,000 markets with IG.

Trade CFDs on our award-winning platform, with low spreads on indices, shares, commodities and more.

Find your market

Live prices on most popular markets

  • Forex
  • Shares
  • Indices

You might be interested in…

<h3>How much does trading cost?</h3>
<h3>Find out about IG</h3>
<h3>Plan your trading</h3>

Find out what charges your trades could incur with our transparent fee structure.

Discover why so many clients choose us, and what makes us a world-leading provider of CFDs.

Stay on top of upcoming market-moving events with our customisable economic calendar.