The All Industrials includes all the non-resource stocks on the ASX. The index is dominated by the big four banks, BHP and Telstra

The All Mining index includes the gold and other metals industries only. It includes resource stocks that are involved in mineral exploration and production.

The All Ordinaries Index is the headline index for the Australian Stock Exchange. Following the restructuring of the ASX indices, the All Ords is made up of 500 companies and accounts for around 98% of the total market value. Stocks included in the index are fully weighted by market capitalisation.

The All Resources covers the first four industries - gold, other metals, diversified resources and energy. The index includes all the mining and energy stocks and is dominated by BHP and Rio Tinto.

Represents what the shareholder owns of the company, after netting total liabilities from total assets. It includes both tangible and intangible assets. It is measured by dividing shareholders equity by the number of shares issued, as of the year end balance date. As a ratio.....

For banks, measures the level of capital held by a bank that can be used to withstand any losses resulting from credit risk. The total of risk-weighted assets is shown as a percentage of the capital base. The Reserve Bank of Australia requires a minimum of eight percent.

Represents cash on hand, plus short-term deposits, that can be readily converted into cash.

Net cash from operating activities, divided by the diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding. Net cashflow represents cash from operating activities. It includes tax, but does not include capital expenditure. Free cashflow can be derived by subtracting capex per share from cashflow per share.

Measures the ability of a company to meet its fixed interest obligations. It represents the net cashflow for the year, divided by the interest paid.

The annualised return to shareholders, including all price changes and reinvestment of dividends. It includes the effect of bonus issues and splits. This figure is calculated pre-tax.

Total dividend for the year, divided by the number of shares ranked for dividend.

The date on which the dividend will actually be paid to shareholders.

This figure shows the percentage of the dividend which contains a dividend imputation credit.

This calculation is designed to assess the probability of a future cut in dividends based on the company's 10-year track record. It is based on two factors: (1) the number of times in the last 10 years (or less, if data is not available), in which the annual dividend has been cut. (2) this percentage is then multiplied by the average percentage size of the cut. The higher the percentage, the more stable the dividend. A dividend stability of 100 percent indicates no dividend cuts have been recorded.

The average of the actual dividend over the last 12 months, and the consensus projected dividend for the next 12 months, all divided by the current price. The dividend yield calculation excludes special dividends. If no consensus forecasts are available then the dividend yield is calculated using the total dividend from the last financial year.

For banks, this earning asset includes receivables from other banks and financial institutions in Australia and overseas.

Earnings attributable to each ordinary share on issue, adjusted for capital reconstructions (such as stock splits) and dividends. Measured by net income after preference dividend, divided by the diluted weighted number of ordinary shares on issue during the year. The earnings exclude non-recurring items such as abnormals and extraordinary items. For equity investment companies, the EPS calculation includes the net gain/loss on the sale of long-term investments.

This is the history of the median EPS estimate from all analysts who cover the stock. It covers the current EPS estimate, the estimate from 7 days, 1 month, 2 months and 3 months ago. Consensus forecasts are provided by Multex Global Estimates.

The "cut-off" date for receiving the next dividend. From this date, new shareholders will not participate in the next dividend. The price of a share will typically fall by the value of the dividend on this date, as it will no longer carry an entitlement to receive this latest dividend.

Forecasts for earnings per share and dividends per share are based on median forecasts of research analysts from brokers who cover the share.

Index identifiers show the indices that the stock is included. Following the restructuring of the ASX indices in April 2000, the All Ordinaries now covers 500 stocks. There are also now a number of S&P/ASX sub-indices such as the S&P/ASX200. Each sub-index has a limit to the number of stocks that can be included and is designed to a portfolio and performance benchmark. Stocks entering these indices may experience a short term price rise as fund managers who track the index readjust their portfolios. Participation in the major indices is generally positive for a stocks liquidity and coverage as it will usually attract more institutional investor attention.

The difference in percentage performance between the company's stock and the Sector or Industry Index. For example, if the stock return is 15 percent and the sector return is 10 percent for a given period, then the +/- figure will be 15 percent-10 percent=5 percent.

The ASX classifies stocks in one of twenty-four industry sectors. e.g. gold, building materials etc. The sectors are determined by their main activity and are used as a means of measuring the performance of the stock against its industry peers.

The difference in percentage performance between the stock and the overall market. For example, if the stock return is 15 percent and the market return is 10 percent for a given period, then the +/- figure will be 15 percent -10 percent = 5 percent.

The market value of the company's equity capital. This is calculated by multiplying the number of ordinary shares by the current price. Other classes of equity such as preference shares are normally not included, except in certain cases where the shares are "quasi-ordinary."

Represents shareholders equity net of intangible assets, converting preference share capital and minority interest, divided by the number of ordinary shares as at the year end balance date. As a ratio....

For insurance companies, calculated as the gross written premium accrued by the insurer, less the cost of reinsurance protection and other recoveries.

The percentage of net profit paid out as dividends. It is calculated by dividing the total dividend payout during the year by net profit before abnormals. Payout ratio is important for a couple of reasons. First, it gives an indication of the sustainability of a company's dividend. A very high payout ratio means the company does not have a large buffer in annual earnings and may need to cut dividends if earnings fall over time. Second, the payout ratio provides a clue to the growth orientation of the company. A low payout ratio means that the company is reinvesting a larger proportion of earnings in future growth. If the investments are successful it should lead to higher future earnings. If it does not, then the company will be destroying future shareholder wealth.

Calculated on the basis of monthly closing prices and gives an indication of the company's P/E over time. It is measured by dividing the monthly closing share price for that year by earnings per share. Average annual P/E ratios can provide a useful benchmark for comparing the company,s current P/E ratio. Companies which are selling for much more than their historical P/E could be overvalued. It is important to bear in mind, however, that other factors can influence the level of P/E ratios. In the current low interest rate environment, for example, higher P/E ratios can be sustained.

The current price divided by the average of the last actual earnings per share figure and the projected EPS figure for the next year. The two figures are weighted based on the elapsed time between each period. Both forecast and historical EPS are used to give a more balanced P/E ratio than using either one alone. If no consensus forecasts are available then the EPS figure is taken from the last financial year.

The current price divided by the last actual sales revenue per share figure. Along with the Price/Earnings Ratio, the Price/Sales Ratio can be a useful comparative valuation tool. Valuation on multiples of sales can be handy when companies are in the early stages of their life cycle and earnings are yet to be attained.

An evaluation of profit earned in relation to equity resources invested (the viewpoint of equity holders). It is calculated by dividing net profit before abnormals by shareholders equity. By comparing return on capital to return on equity, investors can determine whether a company's financial leverage has benefited shareholders.

Calculated for a particular industry or geographical segment. Returns are on a pre-tax basis unless otherwise noted. The total ROS figure is the weighted average ROS for all the segments.

Calculated by dividing operating revenue by the diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares on issue. Non-operating revenue, such as interest, is not included. As a ratio....

All companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange are grouped into one of 24 industry sectors. This classification is used to compute all its sector ratios and comparisons.

Provides a breakdown of the company's operations by both industry and geographical segment. The importance of each segment to total revenue is shown, as well as each segment's operating profitability (before tax and interest) and its return on allocated assets. When assessing the impact of a new product line or a geographic division, it is important to understand its contribution to overall revenue and profit. A high growth new division which represents only five percent of revenues, for example, will have only a minimal impact on overall earnings per share in the short term.

The capital invested from shareholders and from retained profits (i.e., not distributed as dividends). It is measured by adding share capital, reserves, retained profits and minority interest. It is equivalent to book value.

The Share Price Index replicates the All Ordinaries index and is calculated the same way. It is used as the underlying index for all index options.

The number of ordinary shares issued in the market as at the year end balance date. It is adjusted in the prior years account for dilutions from relevant capital changes, such as bonus issues, share splits, and rights issues.

The sub-indices come under the umbrella of the broader All Ordinaries index and include the S&P/ASX20, S&P/ASX50, S&P/ASX100, S&P/ASX200, S&P/ASX300. Each index has a limit to the number of stocks that can be included and is designed to provide you with a portfolio and performance benchmark. Stocks entering these indices may experience a short term price rise as the market readjust portfolios to maintain index weightings.

A measure of the stability of the growth of earnings from year to year expressed as a percentage. The maximum figure of 100 percent represents earnings that go up (or down) by the same percentage each year. A low figure means the company's earnings are more volatile and vary significantly from year to year. The stability of earnings growth is based upon fitting an exponential curve to both historical earnings (up to 10 years) and the next two or three years of consensus forecast earnings. More emphasis is placed on the stability of the growth of forecast earnings. Special adjustments are made for negative earnings, for extreme outlines and for earnings near zero. Stability of Earnings Growth *(STAEGR) is calculated with a minimum of four years of data, two of which can be forecasted earnings per share. * STAEGR is a trademark of Dr. John Price.

Represents the percentage of the company's stock held by the 20 largest shareholders. It can provide an indication of a company's liquidity. A high figure will often mean that there is less stock available for trading.

Measures the percentage increase in the value of a shareholder's investment in the company's shares, assuming reinvestment of dividends. It is calculated on a pre-tax basis.

Two charts are provided for total return, one for 10 years, if available, and the other for the last three years. The charts show the total shareholder return, assuming the reinvestment of dividends. The chart compares this performance against the total market return, and against the return for the relevant industry sector. All three lines are indexed to the beginning of the period so that all start from a common basis. The charts traces monthly returns based on closing prices. The charts also use a logarithmic scale. The dollar figures on the left hand increase in constant percentage terms rather than constant dollar terms. This is a much more accurate way of portraying growth over time because as share prices grow, larger dollar increases are needed to sustain a given growth rate. For example, if a company share price increases 10c from $1 to $1.10, this is a 10 percent increase. When the share price is $10, a $1 increase is needed to achieve the same 10 percent return.

Turnover is the average number of shares traded per year as a percentage of total shares outstanding. It is calculated on a rolling 12-month basis. Turnover provides an indication of the liquidity of a stock and the general level of interest in a company's equity. Turnover is usually higher in large cap stocks with a significant degree of institutional shareholders.