5 Blue-chip Stocks – QBE, CBA, BXB, REA, WBC

Below is a look through 5 Blue-Chip Stocks that have been under discussion given the upcoming reporting season updates and performance in the past few months.

QBE Insurance Group Limited (ASX:QBE) has recently acquired Insurance Box in 100% after having a stake of 44% when it first held in 2013. To market with the telematics-based product, it was also the first insurer. QBE expects to achieve the combined operating ratio (COR) in the range of 95.0 per cent - 97.5 per cent in FY18 and investment return in the range of 2.5 per cent to 3.0 per cent given the various initiatives undertaken by the group. The stock was trading at a market price of $10.165 with a daily price change of $0.065 or a percentage change of 0.644% as at market open on August 01, 2018.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX:CBA), in response to rapidly moving property and funding markets, changed the rates on mortgage products as other banks. The Group has been able to increase its dividend, even whilst providing for any kind of costs, and strengthening all aspects of its balance sheet so that it can support customers and deliver returns for its shareholders into the future. The dividend ex-date was February 14, 2018 and the dividend pay date was March 28, 2018. The annual dividend yield of the stock is 5.74% which is fully franked. The stock traded at a market price of $74.02 with a daily price change of $0.77 and a percentage change of 1.03% as at market open on August 01, 2018.

Brambles Limited (ASX:BXB), the supply chain logistics company, reported sales revenue of US$4,159.1 million from continuing operations for the first nine months of the financial year ending at June 30, 2018 (FY 18), which represented an increase on the prior corresponding period of 5% at constant currency and 10% at actual FX rates. CHEP Americas with new and existing customers in the USA and Latin America pallets businesses delivered constant currency growth of 5% reflecting the ongoing expansion. In IFCO, the constant-currency growth of 8% includes the benefit of increased pricing in IFCO North America which was driven by expansion with new and existing retailer partners. The group has also revealed about divestment of stake (50%) in Hoover Ferguson Joint Venture to its co-venture, First Reserve. The stock was trading at a market price of $9.860 as at August 01, 2018, post market open.

REA Group Limited (ASX:REA) is under information technology sector, was trading at $86.790, with a percentage change of -0.012% as at August 01, 2018, post market open. The current annual dividend yield of 1.1% is fully franked. The dividend ex-date was March 01, 2018 for the most recent dividend paid which was 47 c and the dividend pay date was March 16, 2018. REA Group has recently confirmed that it has completed the acquisition of 100% of Hometrack Pty Ltd as announced on May 1, 2018 and this move has enabled REA to poise for enhanced consumers and customers’ experiences.

Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX:WBC) trading at $29.23 as at August 01, 2018, post market open, has a current annual dividend yield of 6.4% which is fully franked. The dividend ex-date was May 17, 2018 for the most recent dividend paid and the dividend pay date was July 04, 2018. The company has reported a decent 1H FY18 performance with a profit of $4,198 million (an increase of 7 per cent as compared to 1HFY17). Westpac is beginning to pledge to be proactive in identifying vulnerable customers. As per the management, the newly appointed Ms. Anita Fung has an impressive exposure in wholesale and retail banking in the Asia-Pacific region. So, the group is expecting her deep and current knowledge of the banking sector as an asset to execute Westpac’s strategic priorities. Westpac also added that within a decade, 95 percent of transactions will be online or mobile amid the fact that cash was disappearing from the economy at a very fast rate.

[pluginops_form template_id='23834' ] Dividend Stocks To Buy The Income available from dividends remains attractive for many investors. We take a look at the best yields on the market and assess what they say about a company’s prospect. One Thing is certain, though, Australia interest rates are still low, making income difficult to come by and keeping the focus for many investors on high yielding stocks. Kalkine’s team of analysts bought you handpicked report for “Top 25 Dividend Stocks For 2018.” ASX-relevant Special Reports are published year-round to provide a detailed analysis into an investing opportunity or a potential risk to your portfolio. Click here to get your free report.

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