Mixed company results keep a lid on market mood

The sharemarket rose only a little yesterday on one of the busiest days of the year for company profit reports.
The market pulled back just before closing as global miner BHP Billiton released its results.
CMC Markets senior dealer James Foulsham said trade was being driven by earnings results and a more positive mood among investors after a weak lead from United States markets and flat prices for commodities.
"It's been a mixed bag of earnings reports," Mr Foulsham said.
The ASX 200 index rose 6.1 points to 5082.3 and the All Ordinaries 6.7 to 5048.0.
On the Sydney Futures Exchange the September share price index contract ended day trading 14 points lower at 5047, on a volume of 15,482.
In the resources sector, Rio Tinto fell 32c to $75.08.
Nickel miner Jubilee Mines fell 2c to $9.03 as it said its outlook was strong after a record annual profit of $103.4 million.
Oil and gas producer Woodside fell 32c to $43.38 and Santos 20c to $11.58.
National Australia Bank fell 4c to $36.36, ANZ 17c to $26.64 and Westpac 3c to $22.80. Commonwealth Bank rose 16c to $45.60.
In the media sector, Publishing & Broadcasting fell 1c to $17.25 as it boosted annual profit by 26 per cent despite a fall in earnings at the Nine Network.
John Fairfax rose 5c to $4.10.
News Corp fell 5c to $25.80 and its non-voting stock retreated 8c to $24.61.
Among the telecoms, Telstra rose 6c to $3.51.
Hutchison fell 0.5c to 24c after reporting a net loss for the first half and saying underlying earnings should improve in the second half.
Among the goldminers, Newmont rose 1c to $6.86, Newcrest fell 1c to $19.80 and Lihir rose 2c to $2.99.
The price of gold in Sydney was $US621.75 per fine ounce, down $US5.45 on Tuesday's close.
Retailer and takeover target Coles Myer dropped 7c to $13.26 and supermarket rival Woolworths rose 54c to $20.44.
Logistics group Brambles rose 66c to $11.50 after delivering a solid increase in earnings for 2005-06, outstripping market expectations.
Packaging company Amcor added 8c to $6.58 as it said it was on track to sell or close up to $1 billion worth of assets.
Blood products and vaccine maker CSL dipped 15c to $49.50 despite saying it expected to deliver 15 to 20 per cent earnings per share growth in 2006-07.
Airline Virgin Blue rose 3c to $1.57 after saying it was better positioned to face looming challenges but higher fuel prices were a concern.
Clothing and bedding retailer Pacific Brands rose 4c to $2.40 after saying 2006-07 had begun positively and the business was positioned to increase earnings.
The top traded stock by volume was minerals explorer Chrome Corporation, with 45.8 million shares worth $500,000 changing hands. Its shares rose 0.1c to 1.1c.