Author: roymorgansocial

Turnbull reopens reform push

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Original article by Jake Mitchell,{SPAC}Darren Davidson
The Australian – Page: 23 : 29-Aug-16

The Australian Government is expected to amend its cross-media ownership bill to change the local content requirement to take into account a regional network’s acquisition of a metropolitan broadcaster. The previous clause only applied to a metro network’s takeover of a regional counterpart. The revised bill is likely to be introduced when Parliament resumes, after being put to the Coalition’s communications backbench committee and the party room.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS,{SPAC}LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA,{SPAC}NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA,{SPAC}AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY,{SPAC}NICK XENOPHON TEAM,{SPAC}SOUTHERN CROSS MEDIA GROUP LIMITED – ASX SXL,{SPAC}NINE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX NEC,{SPAC}WIN CORPORATION PTY LTD,{SPAC}TEN NETWORK HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX TEN

Michele Levine, CEO, Roy Morgan Research, comments on the findings in State of the Nation 25: Spotlight on Financial Risk

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Original article by Roy Morgan Research
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 26-Aug-16

The end of the mining boom in Australia presents the Australian economy with many pressing challenges – and some of the biggest involve the potential for a slowing Australian economy to increase mortgage stress around the country, and also to lead to diminished superannuation balances for Australians heading towards retirement. The casualisation of the Australian work-force with an increasing proportion of Australians working part-time rather than full-time means many Australians are forced to save less for their retirement whilst the ability to pay current bills, including mortgage payments, is also crimped. In addition, the persistently low interest rates in Australia mean the amount required for retirement actually increases as annual returns on investments follow interest rates lower. Follow this link to view the full State of the Nation 25: Spotlight on Financial Risk Powerpoint presentation PDF.

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ROY MORGAN RESEARCH LIMITED

Miners may face native title compo liability

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Original article by Mark Ludlow
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 12 : 26-Aug-16

A ruling by the Federal Court in Darwin awarding $A3.3 million as compensation in a native title case is likely to be followed by other compensation claims. Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett has indicated that future compensation claims will either be dealt with by the state or by the beneficiaries of the grant of land. The Queensland Government favours mining companies making arrangements with indigenous groups on their own.

CORPORATES
FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA, WESTERN AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PREMIER AND CABINET

Low $A, ad push to spur tourist growth

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Original article by Mark Ludlow
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 8 : 26-Aug-16

Deloitte Access Economics states in its tourism and hotel market outlook that the number of international visitors rose by 10 per cent in 2015. Meanwhile, visitor spending has increased by 17.9 per cent over the past five years. The firm forecasts an annual average growth of 6.2 per cent in international visitors over the next three years.

CORPORATES
DELOITTE ACCESS ECONOMICS PTY LTD, TOURISM AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

State of the Nation 25: Spotlight on Financial Risk

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Original article by Roy Morgan Research
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 26-Aug-16

Roy Morgan Research CEO Michele Levine this week presented the latest State of the Nation Report in Melbourne and Sydney, with a special Spotlight on Financial Risk including Mortgage debt and stress, Income risks and the adequacy of retirement funding. Key findings of this in-depth industry spotlight include: Home ownership in Australia is likely to continue its downward trend whilst house price increases outpace the increase in household incomes; Mortgage stress levels are likely to remain elevated even with the likelihood of further interest rate reductions by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) over the coming 12-18 months. Official Australian interest rates are already at a record low of 1.5% and likely to converge with the 0% interest rates found in comparable Western economies including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and the EU; Household debt levels could become a risk for both households and banks should general economic conditions turn down; The reliance on dual incomes for home loans repayments by many Australian families is a risk in itself with the increasing trend towards part-time work throughout much of the economy and with the additional factor of low wages growth and many more. View the full release to see a comprehensive run-down of findings.

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ROY MORGAN RESEARCH LIMITED

Woolies chief sees green shoots

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Original article by Eli Greenblat
The Australian – Page: 19 & 23 : 26-Aug-16

Australian-listed retailer Woolworths has posted a 2015-16 net loss of $A1.23bn, while revenue was down 1.2 per cent at $A58.08bn. The result was marred by write-downs and impairment charges exceeding $A4bn. CEO Brad Banducci says further reducing grocery prices will continue to be a priority in 2016-17. He adds that there was 0.3 per cent growth in like-for-like store sales during the first eight weeks of the financial year. Shareholders will receive a final dividend of $A0.33 per share.

CORPORATES
WOOLWORTHS LIMITED – ASX WOW, COLES SUPERMARKETS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, ALDI STORES SUPERMARKETS PTY LTD, MASTERS HOME IMPROVEMENT AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, BIG W DISCOUNT STORES, ENDEAVOUR DRINKS GROUP, DAN MURPHY’S, AUSTRALIAN LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY GROUP LIMITED

Business chiefs lobby crossbench on company tax

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Original article by David Crowe
The Australian – Page: 1 & 4 : 26-Aug-16

Analysis of tax data by the Business Council of Australia shows that the nation’s 12 largest companies account for approximately 33 per cent of corporate tax revenue. The BCA intends to ramp up its campaign in support of the Federal Government’s proposal to progressively reduce the tax rate for all companies. Crossbench senators will be targeted by its lobbying campaign. The BCA will argue that a high tax rate will deter companies from investing in Australia, while increased investment will in turn stimulate economic growth.

CORPORATES
BUSINESS COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, NICK XENOPHON TEAM, ONE NATION PARTY, LIBERAL PARTY OF VICTORIA, COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA – ASX CBA, WESFARMERS LIMITED – ASX WES, QANTAS AIRWAYS LIMITED – ASX QAN, COCA-COLA AMATIL LIMITED – ASX CCL, BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP, RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO, WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION – ASX WBC, NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LIMITED – ASX NAB, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ, TELSTRA CORPORATION LIMITED – ASX TLS, WOOLWORTHS LIMITED – ASX WOW, FORTESCUE METALS GROUP LIMITED – ASX FMG, SUNCORP GROUP LIMITED – ASX SUN, BP AUSTRALIA LIMITED, ARRIUM LIMITED – ASX ARI, OXFAM

Cashed-up South32 on the hunt

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Original article by Paul Garvey
The Australian – Page: 19 & 26 : 26-Aug-16

Australian-listed South32 has exceeded market forecasts by posting 2015-16 underlying EBITA of $US356m. However, impairment charges resulted in the BHP Billiton spin-off posting a net loss of $US1.6bn (A$2.1bn). South32 boasted net cash of $US312m at the end of the financial year, and CEO Graham Kerr says it will consider a capital return to shareholders if there are no suitable acquisitions. He adds that South32 has pre-emptive rights over Anglo American’s stake in their manganese joint venture.

CORPORATES
SOUTH32 LIMITED – ASX S32, BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP, ANGLO AMERICAN PLC, SHAW AND PARTNERS LIMITED

Chinese firm exits Kidman bid group

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Original article by Kylar Loussikian
The Australian – Page: 21 : 26-Aug-16

Dakang Australia’s hopes of gaining Federal Government approval for the acquisition of S. Kidman & Company may be boosted by Shanghai CRED Real Estate’s decision to withdraw from the consortium. Shanghai Pengxin will now be able to seek an additional Australian partner for the consortium, which might be sufficient to allay the national interest concerns which prompted the sale of Kidman to be blocked.

CORPORATES
S KIDMAN AND COMPANY PTY LTD, DAKANG AUSTRALIA HOLDINGS PTY LTD, SHANGHAI CRED REAL ESTATE STOCK COMPANY LIMITED, SHANGHAI PENGXIN GROUP COMPANY LIMITED, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, AUSTRALIA. FOREIGN INVESTMENT REVIEW BOARD, ERNST AND YOUNG, CAPITAL HILL ADVISORY, GENIUS LINKS ASSET MANAGEMENT, AUSGRID PTY LTD, STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA, CHEUNG KONG INFRASTRUCTURE HOLDINGS LIMITED, CONSOLIDATED PASTORAL COMPANY PTY LTD, SHANGHAI ZHONGFU GROUP COMPANY LIMITED, VAN DIEMEN’S LAND COMPANY

Nine banks on local shows to boost ratings

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Original article by Max Mason
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 29 : 26-Aug-16

Nine Entertainment Company has posted a 2015-16 profit of $A324.8m. This compares with a loss of $A592.2m in 2014-15, although the prior result had been marred by write-downs totalling $A732.2 million. The media group’s 2015-16 underlying profit was down 7.1 per cent at $A120.3m and revenue fell by 6.5 per cent to $A1.3bn. CEO Hugh Marks says an increase in premium local content will be a priority for the Nine Network in 2017, after a disappointing ratings performance in 2016. Shareholders will receive a final dividend of $A0.04 per share.

CORPORATES
NINE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX NEC, NINE NETWORK AUSTRALIA LIMITED, NIKKO ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP, WARNER BROS, FACEBOOK INCORPORATED, YOUTUBE INCORPORATED, PROCTER AND GAMBLE COMPANY, SEVEN NETWORK LIMITED, CRICKET AUSTRALIA, NINE LIVE PTY LTD