Interim profit

Australian packaging company, Amcor (ASX:AMC) has released its first half results to December to Australian stockmarket investors and traders.

• Amcor reported a net profit of $238 million for the six months to December, up 16.3 percent on the previous corresponding period. In 2012, the company had reported a net profit of $437 for the full financial year.

Australian consumer technology retailer, JB Hi-Fi (ASX:JBH) have announced a net profit of $82 million in the six months to December 31, 2012, up from $79.6 million on the previous corresponding period.

Tomorrow's interim earnings season kicks off with reporting from Rio Tinto and analysts are overwhelmingly gunning for a 39.1 percent boost in underlying profit from US$5.77 billion to US$8.03 billion.

Rio is expected to announce a $7.3 billion first half net profit culled from its iron ore, aluminium and copper divisions. 80 percent of the net profit is expected to come from the robust iron ore division, a 50 percent jump from last year’s US$6.2 billion.

Major fertiliser supplier Incitec Pivot (ASX:IPL) shows interest to offer a bid for Burrup Fertlisers, but is proceeding with caution. Incitec says that an offer depends on a 15 percent internal return rate from the acquisition.

Bank profit reporting season starts tomorrow with ANZ Bank (ASX:ANZ) expecting a rise in cash profit to $2.8 billion, or 22 percent. Westpac Banking Corporation is expected to report $3.111 billion in cash earnings with 2.557 billion for National Australia Bank.

Global media conglomerate, NewsCorp (ASX:NWS) have posted a profit for their first quarter (Q1) of 2010/11 financial year of $US775 million ($A777.49 million) for the three months to September 30, 2010, up 36 per cent from $US571 million ($A572.83 million) in the prior corresponding period, NewsCorp said in a statement on Thursday.

Beverage producer, Coca Cola Amatil (ASX:CCL) have posted a record half year net profit at $212.7 million, up 12.1 percent compared the corresponding half yearly results of last year. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) was up 10 percent to $373.8 million. Earnings per share is 28.3 cents, up 10.1 percent.

Coca-Cola Amatil Dividends