The S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX: XJO)(^AXJO) is expected to open higher today, the USA’s S&P 500 Index (.INX) rose 0.41% on Wednesday.
Here are the data points:
Australian Dollar ($A) (AUDUSD): 71.73 US cents
Dow Jones (DJI): up 0.39%
Oil (WTI): $US52.18 per barrel
Gold: $US1,293 per ounce
ASX Sharemarket News
In ASX sharemarket news, satellite imaging business Nearmap Ltd (ASX: NEA) announced some preliminary results for the first half of FY19. It said that its annualised contract value (ACV) had risen by 42% over the year to $78.3 million.
Both the US and Australian segments of Nearmap contributed to ACV growth. But, the US segment led the way and delivered ACV growth of 107% to US$17.6 million.
Nearmap CEO and MD Dr Rob Newman said: “Our Australian business is building on its market leadership and our US business is gaining significant market traction. We are well placed to deliver ongoing growth as new product enhancements add functionality, and our markets continue to develop and expand.”
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Fashion retailer Noni B Limited (ASX: NBL) has provided a trading update for the first half of its FY2019.
It said that total sales grew by 140% to approximately $457 million due to the acquisition of several brands from Specialty Fashion Group. A “strong” Christmas trading resulted in like-for-like (LFL) sales growth of 1% in December, leading to a LFL sales decline of 3.1% as opposed to the 5% decline guided at the end of October.
Noni B management now believe EBITDA will be approximately $29 million for the half year, which is at the high end of the market consensus of $25 million to $30 million (click here to learn what EBITDA means).
Integrated Research Limited (ASX: IRI) has also released some preliminary numbers. For the six months ending 31 December 2018 the technology business is expecting to report revenue of between $49 million to $50.5 million, which would be growth of 7% to 11%.
It also said that profit after tax is expected to be between $11.1 million and $11.7 million, which will result in the company reporting profit growth of 19% to 26%.
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