The Australian dollar hit a five-month low of USD1.0196 on March 4 but closed the trading week on March 15 at USD1.0409, driven by a stream of solid economic reports, including a blow-the-doors-off employment report, an uplift in consumer sentiment and more interest from abroad in Australian assets.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported on March 14 in Canberra that Australia added 71.500 jobs in February–seven times more than forecast–as the unemployment rate held steady at 5.4 percent.

Analysts were expecting 10,000 new jobs and an uptick in the jobless rate to 5.5 percent.

The February gain in Australian was the equivalent of a gain of 1 million jobs in the US.

New jobs were concentrated in the manufacturing-centric, interest-rate sensitive states of New South Wales and Victoria, as opposed to the mining states of Queensland and Western Australia.

It’s the biggest monthly employment increase in 13 years and just the ninth time in the last 412 months that such gains have exceed 70,000.

The Australian dollar bounced on the news, as investors priced out the possibility of yet another rate cut by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA).

A joint survey published by Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC, NYSE: WBK) and the Melbourne Institute showed consumer sentiment improved by 2 percent in March from February to an index level of 110.5, the highest reading since December 2010. The sentiment index was up 15 percent year over year.

And date from the Real Estate Institute of Australia showed capital city house prices in the fourth quarter of 2012 rose 3.8 percent compared to the third quarter.

All this suggests the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) rate-cutting is filtering into the broader economy and that the central bank will stand pat at its next meeting.

Still more support, of the longer-term variety, comes from the fact that Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global, the biggest sovereign wealth fund (SWF) in the world with assets of more than USD700 billion, doubled its holdings in Australia during 2012.

What used to be the Government Petroleum Fund increased stakes in both Australian equities and fixed-income assets. Among its major holdings is a 3 percent stake in AE Portfolio Aggressive Holding BHP Billiton Ltd (ASX: BHP, NYSE: BHP).

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) confirmed last week that it would begin reporting central bank holdings of Australian dollars in the coming months, underscoring the growth of the currency in global reserves.

On Tuesday, March 5, the RBA held its overnight cash rate steady at 3 percent. The central bank cut its benchmark to this level, a half-century low and equal to what it was during the depths of the Great Financial Crisis, in December and has signaled its readiness to further reduce it should economic conditions warrant.

But in his March 5 statement Governor Glenn Stevens emphasized allowing the impact of the 175 basis points of cuts from November 2011 through December 2012 to make its way into the domestic economy.

In his most recent statement on monetary policy Mr. Stevens noted, “During 2012, there was a significant easing in monetary policy. Though the full impact of this will still take more time to become apparent, there are signs that the easier conditions are having some of the expected effects.”

The RBA, taking note of “stabilization” of conditions around the world, including “moderate” US growth, “robust” growth in China and “considerably reduced” financial strains in Europe, also pointed out that commodity prices “are little changed recently, at reasonably high levels.”

Inflation expectations remain within the RBA’s target band, and the central bank still forecasts growth for 2013–about 2.5 percent–below long-term trend. Taking all this into account, Mr. Stevens still believes “an accommodative stance of monetary policy is appropriate.”

Indicating he remains dovish, Mr. Stevens noted, “The inflation outlook, as assessed at present, would afford scope to ease policy further, should that be necessary to support demand.” Nevertheless, the full RBA board found it “prudent” to leave its cash rate at 3 percent.

The RBA, which meets 11 times a year, or once a month except in January, will make its next monetary decision on April 2, 2013.

GDP

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported March 6 that the economy in the Land Down Under expanded at a rate of 0.6 percent during the last three months of 2012 compared to the July-through-September period.

ABS data show that gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 3.1 percent during the 12 months ended Dec. 31, 2012.

The quarter-over-quarter rate of growth was basically in line with expectations of analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News Service. Australian GDP grew by 0.7 percent during the third quarter of 2012.

The annual figure of 3.1 percent is basically in line with Australia’s long-term trend rate of growth. And it means that the “Lucky Country” has now posted 21 consecutive years of GDP growth, which is something no other economy in the developed world can match.

Australia grew by 3.6 percent in 2011, beating out Norway’s 3.2 percent expansion to lead major industrialized nations.

The ABS GDP data also illustrate, once again, the importance of resources to the Australian economy. The resources sector employs nearly a tenth of the country’s labor force and accounts for about a fifth of gross domestic product.

During the fourth quarter exports were the largest contributor to growth. Shipments abroad of coal and iron ore drove a 3.3 percent increase in overall exports, according to the ABS, the second-fastest quarterly increase in almost a decade. Exports added 0.7 percentage points to the overall quarterly growth rate.

A series of cuts by the RBA to its overnight cash rate that’s taken the benchmark from 4.75 percent as of November 2011 to a present level of 3 percent has apparently yet to be felt at home.

Final demand in resource-focused Western Australia and the Northern Territory grew by 14.2 percent and 32.8 percent, respectively in the fourth quarter from a year earlier. By contrast, manufacturing-heavy Victoria saw a 0.1 percent decline and similarly situated Tasmania contracted by 4.6 percent.

Household spending, meanwhile, was up just 0.2 percent quarter over quarter, adding 0.1 point to the overall rate of growth. Australia’s household savings ratio declined to 10.1 percent from 10.3 percent in the third quarter.

Non-dwelling construction slumped 8.9 percent, subtracting 0.8 percentage points from GDP growth. Machinery and equipment fell 3.3 percent, subtracting 0.2 points.

The overall GDP figure was helped by the fact that public spending soared 24.6 percent, adding 1.1 points, on the transfer of an unidentified asset from private industry to state government.

From China to Australia

A report by the accounting firm KPMG and the China Studies Center at Sydney University found that Australia remains the No. 1 destination for China’s foreign direct investment (FDI) at USD49 billion, which is 13.2 percent of the total. Investment in Australia by Chinese entities increased by 21 percent in 2012 compared to 2011.

Australia’s edge has held up of late due to China’s interest in natural gas. The US is second at 13.1 percent. Canada’s share of Chinese FDI surged in 2012 due to CNOOC Ltd’s (Hong Kong: 883, NYSE: CEO) USD14.6 billion acquisition of Nexen Inc. Brazil, Russia, the United Kingdom, Nigeria and South Africa round out the top eight destinations.

The most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that at the end of 2011 China’s direct investment accounted for 2.6 percent of the total foreign capital at work Down Under.

The KPMG-Sydney University report noted that 73 percent of China’s FDI into Australia was for mining. But over the past year mining accounted for just 48 percent.

Gas projects received 42 percent of Chinese investment over the past year compared to a longer-term figure of 18 percent. Renewable energy received 2 percent and other areas, including agriculture and real estate, totaled 8 percent.

Although Chinese companies will likely bid for future Australia-based LNG projects, investors in the Middle Kingdom are “actively looking at other gas supply options,” particularly in Russia and Central Asia.

The study found that food security “has emerged as a key theme for China” and may drive more investment in Australia.

Dividend Watch List

Because Australian companies typically report official earnings and declare dividends only twice a year, changes–additions to and subtractions from–the Dividend Watch List will be rarer than, for example, the Dividend Watch List compiled for AE’s sister letter Canadian Edge.

Earnings season is over Down Under, the vast majority of companies having reported results for the first half of fiscal 2013, which ran from July 1, 2012, through Dec. 31, 2012, or for financial years that correspond with the calendar year, or from Jan. 1, 2012, through Dec. 31, 2012.

Basically the entire Basic Materials section of the How They Rate coverage universe can now be considered on the List, in one sense because all those companies are exposed to volatile resource prices, in another, more concrete way because most announced lower dividends this period than they did for the last one. And that’s one of the criteria that will get you a place on the List.

Several Basic Materials companies in fact “omitted” interim dividend payments, which effectively makes their reductions 100 percent.

This month’s How They Rate table includes dividend details as well as earnings information for all those companies that reported since the February issue went to press, and that means most of the coverage universe.

We’ve also seen more deterioration in the situation for Redflex Holdings Ltd (ASX: RDF, OTC: RFLXF), caught up in a corruption investigation in Chicago that has now carried over into “two other geographies” in the US, as an internal investigation revealed and management announced along with fiscal 2013 first-half results.

Redflex has not yet decided whether it will pay an interim dividend, though it’s looking pretty grim at this stage.

The Watch List reflects the entirety of the recent reporting season, and, as you’ll note, it’s rather lengthy. This length is a reflection of longstanding dividend practice for Corporate Australia, which as a general rule is not bound by strict dividend rates but rather by payout ratio ranges when it comes to “capital management” policy.

Australian companies customarily maintain policies of paying out a specified percentage based on particular earnings metrics, whether that metric is statutory net profit after tax (NPAT), underlying NPAT or operating cash flow.

Practically speaking, dividend rates will often vary more than they do for Canadian or US companies, which are almost universally pledged to maintaining dividend rates, often at the cost of tapping balance sheets in the absence of sufficient cash flow to cover obligations to shareholders.

This latter is fine in the short term, and it can be manageable in the longer term as well. But Australian firms are traditionally more debt-averse than their North American counterparts.

It’s important to note, too, that the CE Watch List is based on the monthly distribution scheme established during the income trust era, which, to the benefit of investors everywhere, persists even after the forced conversion to traditional corporations for many of these stocks.

Australia’s twice-yearly rhythm varies as well from the quarterly dividend arrangement to which most US companies adhere.

With recent dividend reductions and/or changes to guidance or policies that suggest non-regular payment the following companies have declared their worthiness for inclusion on the Dividend Watch List.

Basic Materials

Aditya Birla Minerals Ltd (ASX: ABY, OTC: ABWAF) won’t report its next set of numbers until on or about May 1, 2013, which will be for fiscal 2013. The company’s fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 30.

Aditya Birla’s board approved and management declared a final dividend of AUD0.05 for fiscal 2012, getting back to a paying basis after “omitting” a mid-year payment. It appears the company pays an annual dividend, but policy remains “to seek to maximise cash returns to Shareholders whilst having regard to ensuring a sound financial structure for the Company and providing for value accretive development and exploration activities and targeted growth opportunities.”

Because there’s no clarity on the payment interval this stock will probably be an emeritus member of the Dividend Watch List. It is, however, a speculative buy under USD0.50 for aggressive investors only.

Alumina Ltd (ASX: AWC, NYSE: AWC) didn’t declare a dividend for 2012 when it reported results on Feb. 21, 2013, which was a bit of a surprise in light of the USD20 million dividend it received from the AWAC joint venture.

Alumina didn’t declare an interim dividend when it reported 2012 first-half results on Aug. 16, 2012. Management had reduced its final dividend for 2011 by 25 percent, in step with guidance issued late that year. Hold.

Aquarius Platinum Ltd (ASX: AQP, OTC: AQPBF) is likely to benefit from the multiple mine outages in South Africa during 2012, as resulting supply shortages should provide a boost for platinum prices in 2013.

But the company is unlikely to resume its dividend in the near future. The company posted a 29 percent in first-half revenue to AUD179 million and posted a net operating cash outflow of AUD38 million. Production declined 27 percent, while the average US dollar PGM basket price was down 10 percent from the prior corresponding period. Hold.

Arrium Ltd (ASX: ARI, OTC: ARRMF, ADR: OSTLY) reduced its interim dividend by 33 percent to AUD0.02 per share, as its fiscal 2013 first-half loss deepened from AUD447.2 million from AUD74 million a year ago due to a AUD474 million non-cash writedown on the value of its steel manufacturing unit and its distribution business due to a weak operating environment, sluggish construction activity and the impact of a strong Australian dollar.

Revenue for the period declined to AUD3.32 billion from AUD3.8 billion. Management is focused on paying down debt. Hold.

BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL, OTC: BLSFF) discontinued its dividend after posting a AUD12 million net loss for the first six months of fiscal 2013. The company posted a fiscal 2012 net loss after tax of AUD1.044 billion, better than the AUD1.054 billion loss for fiscal 2011.

Management expects emerging signs of improvement it noted during the second quarter of the fiscal year to continue and forecast a “small” underlying net profit after tax for the second half of the fiscal year. Hold.

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX: FMG, OTC: FSUMF, ADR: FSUGY) didn’t declare an interim dividend, as fiscal 2013 first-half EBITDA declined by 26 percent and management’s focus is on preserving cash during what remains a period of rapid capacity expansion.

The board will “consider” declaring a full-year dividend in August. Hold.

Grange Resources Ltd (ASX: GRR, OTC: GRRLF) reduced its 2012 final dividend to AUD0.01 per share from AUD0.03 in 2011. Sales volume growth was solid, but a realized price decline of 31 percent was a significant hurdle to overcome. Hold.

Iluka Resources Ltd’s (ASX: ILU, OTC: ILKAF, ADR: ILKAY) 2012 final dividend was AUD0.10, down from AUD0.55 a year ago. Hold.

Independence Group NL (ASX: IGO, OTC: IPGDF), although we noted last month that recent production news suggested it would be able to maintain the fiscal 2013 interim dividend in line with the AUD0.02 paid a year ago, nevertheless reduced it to AUD0.01.

This is despite the fact that first-half NPAT was up 111.4 percent and revenue increased by 15.7 percent. Management is preserving cash to focus on development of its Tropicana gold project, which is on course to begin production in September 2013, amid still-soft nickel prices. Hold.

Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd (ASX: KCN, OTC: KSKGF), the first member to appear on this month’s List that didn’t appear on last month’s, cut its interim dividend by 50 percent to AUD0.05 per share.

Revenue for the first six months was up 10 percent but costs surged by 26 percent, taking a 19 percent bite out of gross profit. Hold.

Medusa Mining Ltd (ASX: MML, OTC: MDSMF) didn’t declare an interim dividend, despite the fact that fiscal 2013 first-half revenue was up 28 percent, EBITDA was up 24 percent and NPAT grew by 19 percent.

Medusa, which “omitted” its interim dividend in order to focus resources on its key Co-o development, is no longer a great way to gain gold exposure and get paid at the same time. Hold.

Mount Gibson Iron Ltd (ASX: MGX, OTC: MTGRF) maintained its fiscal 2013 interim dividend at AUD0.02 per share.

The company posted first-half revenue growth of 10 percent, though costs were up 18 percent and realized prices were down 20 percent. Although it didn’t cut this time, the fiscal 2013 final dividend remains extremely sensitive to a continued recovery in iron ore prices. Hold.

OM Holdings Ltd (ASX: OMH, OTC: OMHLF) didn’t declare a final dividend for 2012. The company hasn’t made a cash payout to shareholders since May 2011. Hold.

Oz Minerals Ltd (ASX: OZL, OTC: OZMLF, ADR: OZMLY), which reported 2012 full-year results on Feb. 13, 2013, reduced its final dividend from AUD0.30 a year ago to AUD0.20. The full-year payout is AUD0.30 per share, which is actually at the top end of management’s policy of paying 30 percent to 60 percent of net profit.

Oz had made the List for a prior reduction in its 2012 interim dividend.

Management’s commentary was relatively bullish, as CEO Terry Burgess forecast higher output and a corresponding decline in cash costs during the second half of 2013 versus the first half. Mr. Burgess also noted a “robust” outlook for copper prices due to strong demand. Buy under USD8.50.

Panoramic Resources Ltd (ASX: PAN, OTC: PANRF) actually resumed its dividend with an interim declaration of AUD0.01 per share after not paying a final dividend for fiscal 2012. But the fiscal 2013 interim payment was 50 percent lower than the fiscal 2012 interim payment.

Management appears to have things pointed in the right direction, as operating costs–one of the things it can control, as opposed to commodity prices–were flat. But this is for speculators betting on a stimulus-driven global economic turnaround. Buy under USD1.00.

Sedgman Ltd (ASX: SDM, OTC: SGTDF) wasn’t on the February Dividend Watch List, but it reduced its interim dividend by 33 percent to AUD0.03 after reporting a 20.9 percent decline in fiscal 2013 first-half revenue.

The company’s focus on a still-struggling coal market, a strong aussie and project deferrals weighed on management. This too is for aggressive speculators betting on a global economic rebound and corresponding bounce-back for coal prices. Buy under USD1.30.

TFS Corp (ASX: TFC, OTC: TFSCF) omitted its interim dividend entirely and in fact hasn’t paid out anything since November 2011. Hold.

Western Areas NL (ASX: WSA, OTC: WNARF) reduced its fiscal 2013 interim dividend by 60 percent compared to fiscal 2012, as first-halt EBITDA declined by 36.2 percent and NPAT fell to AUD2.12 million from AUD24.1 million a year ago.

Cash costs were better than forecast, but realized nickel prices were, in management’s words, at “depressed” levels. Western Areas is Australia’s lowest-cost nickel miner and merits a look from aggressive speculators. Buy under USD4.60.

Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC, OTC: WHITF) didn’t declare an interim dividend, as fiscal 2013 first-half revenue declined 17.5 percent and management reported a AUD47 million net loss on lower coal prices and a strong aussie. Hold.

Consumer Goods

Billabong International Ltd (ASX: BBG, OTC: BLLAF, ADR: BLLAY) didn’t declare an interim dividend, as fiscal 2013 first-half global sales slid 8.1 percent and the surfwear company posted a AUD536.6 million net loss.

Adjusted EBITDA was up by 9.1 percent, however, as cost cuts and store closures had a positive impact. Two separate groups continue to kick the tires here, and a deadline for completing due diligence has been established. Sometime shortly after March 28, 2013, we’ll know whether shareholders will be rescued by one of the competing AUD1.10 per share bids. Sell.

Goodman Fielder Ltd (ASX: GFF, OTC: GDFLF, ADR: GDFLY) didn’t pay an interim dividend for the first half of fiscal 2013, as normalized EBITDA slipped 13 percent and normalized NPAT was off 4 percent from a year ago.

But management announced during a conference call to discuss fiscal 2013 first-half results that it will resume payouts with a final dividend in respect of fiscal 2013, with a stated policy of distributing 50 percent to 80 percent of NPAT. Buy under USD0.75.

Ridley Corp (ASX: RIC, OTC: RIDYF) didn’t declare an interim dividend, though fiscal 2013 first-half revenue was up 6 percent. Management did, however, report a AUD12.7 million net loss due to AUD24.9 million of non-recurring writedowns and noted the absence of retained profits in omitting the payout. Buy under USD1.30.

Consumer Services

APN News & Media Holdings Ltd (ASX: APN, OTC: APNDF) didn’t declare a final dividend after posting a 13 percent decline in revenue and a 25 percent slide in EBITDA. NPAT excluding one-time items was within guidance management issued in December 2012, but the statutory loss was AUD455.8 million.

The advertising market remains challenged, and debt remains a concern. Sell.

David Jones Ltd (ASX: DJS, ADR: DJNSY) noted in a sales and revenue update that fiscal 2013 second-quarter trading activity was in line with the first quarter. Management hasn’t provided full-year guidance. The iconic retailer will report full financial and operating results for the first half of its fiscal 2013 on March 20.

The company cut its final dividend for fiscal 2012 to AUD0.07 per share from AUD0.15 a year ago. Hold.

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN, OTC: None) reduced its interim payout by 10 percent from AUD0.05 a year ago to AUD0.045 for the first half of fiscal 2013. The company reported a 7.3 percent slide in global sales, as like-for-like sales slipped by 5.3 percent.

Management did note, however, that January 2013 sales were up 4.1 percent overall and 5.8 percent on a like-for-like basis. That’s enough to merit an upgrade from “sell.” Hold.

Myer Holdings Ltd (ASX: MYR, OTC: MYGSF) maintained its fiscal 2013 interim dividend at AUD0.10 per share after it cut its fiscal 2012 final distribution to AUD0.09 from AUD0.115.

Management reported solid results for the six months ended Jan. 31, 2013, as sales ticked up by 1.7 percent to AUD1.7 billion and net income of AUD87.9 million beat analysts’ consensus estimate. Earnings per share were AUD0.15, up from AUD0.149 a year ago. Buy under USD2.40.

Navitas Ltd (ASX: NVT) declared an interim distribution of AUD0.093, down slightly from AUD0.094 a year ago. The company reported a 4 percent increase in first-half revenue to AUD355.4 million, while EBITDA rose 5 percent to AUD59.9 million. Management noted a “gradually improving” operating environment.

Navitas reduced its fiscal 2012 final dividend to AUD0.101 from AUD0.12 in fiscal 2011. Buy under USD4.

Seven West Media Ltd’s (ASX: SWM, OTC: WANHF) interim dividend of AUD0.06 was level with what it paid as a final dividend for fiscal 2012 but down by 66.3 percent from a year ago.

Revenue for the first half of fiscal 2013 was down 3.4 percent, and management reported a net loss of AUD109.34 million. The stock has more than doubled off the five-year low it hit in early November 2012. Hold.

Southern Cross Media Group Ltd (ASX: SXL, OTC: SOUTF) reduced its interim dividend by 10 percent to AUD0.045 from AUD0.05, as fiscal 2013 first-half revenue declined by 9.6 percent, EBITDA slid 15.5 percent and NPAT was 52 percent lower.

The shares have surged on management’s solid outlook for full-year results as well as speculation about a combination with Nine Network Australia Ltd. Hold.

Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (ASX: TAH, OTC: TABCF) declared an interim dividend of AUD0.11 per share, down from AUD0.13 a year ago. First-half revenue from continuing operations was up 2.1 percent, though the company has had to adjust to the loss of New South Wales gaming licenses. EBIT from continuing activities rose 6.5 percent.

Management has now re-based its payout to a new reality. Buy under USD3.15.

Tatts Group Ltd (ASX: TTS, OTC: TTSLF) reduced its interim dividend by 27.3 percent, though revenue from continuing operations for the first half of fiscal 2013 was up 16 percent, EBITDA surged at a like rate and NPAT grew by 26 percent.

The payout ratio for the half-year was 86 percent versus 88 percent a year ago, though the fiscal 2012 was based on cash flow that included contribution from the now-discontinued Victoria gaming machine business. Tatts Pokies, which came on line during the recently concluded period, will likely help Tatts off the List come August. Buy under USD3.

Financials

QBE Insurance Ltd (ASX: QBE, OTC: QBEIF) reduced its final dividend for 2012 by 60 percent to AUD0.10 after it cut its interim distribution to AUD0.40 from the AUD0.62.

Cash profit for 2012 was up 32 percent, statutory NPAT increased by 8 percent, though the latter figure missed guidance due to higher amortization and impairment charges. But management is setting up to handle the impact of Superstorm Sandy and the January rains that hammered Queensland. Hold.

Industrials

Boral Ltd (ASX: BLD, OTC: BOALF) reduced its fiscal 2013 interim dividend to AUD0.05 per share from AUD0.075 a year ago, though first-half results exceeded expectations and management issued relatively upbeat guidance for the balance of the year.

The company posted a net loss of AUD25.3 million, but profit before significant items was AUD55.2 million, better than management’s forecast. Sales, meanwhile, were AUD2.8 billion.

Boral had cut its fiscal 2012 final dividend by 50 percent to AUD0.035 per share. Hold.

Emeco Holdings (ASX: EHL, OTC: None) maintained its interim dividend at AUD0.025 per share, though fiscal 2013 first-half operating NPAT was down 14 percent.

The stock has now reached bargain-basement levels and, based on management’s efforts to cut costs as well as improving fleet-utilization numbers in early calendar 2013, it merits an upgrade. It is, however, for aggressive speculators only. Buy under USD0.70.

GWA Group Ltd (ASX: GWA, OTC: GWAXF, ADR: GWAXY) reduced its interim dividend by 36.8 percent to AUD0.06 from AUD0.095 a year ago. Fiscal 2013 first-half sales declined 8 percent, trading EBIT dipped 23 percent and NPAT was off by 23.7 percent. Management noted weak conditions across all segments.

Company policy is to pay 80 percent to 95 percent of NPAT, up from 70 percent to 80 percent. But the AUD0.18 per share “floor” that had underpinned the policy has been removed. Buy under USD2.

Toll Holdings Ltd (ASX: TOL, OTC: THKUF, ADR: THKUY) has earned its way off the List by boosting its fiscal 2013 interim dividend by 8.7 percent. First-half sales revenue ticked up by 2.5 percent, and NPAT excluding items was up 7.6 percent.

The company maintained its final distribution at AUD0.135 per share, despite chopping its guidance for fiscal 2012 underlying earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) to AUD400 million to AUD420 million from a prior target of AUD450 million.

Australia’s largest trucking company and freight handler has a relatively strong balance sheet, and its operating performance remains sound. Recent numbers justify an upgrade. Buy under USD6.

Oil & Gas

Boart Longyear (ASX: BLY, OTC: BOARF, ADR: BLGPY) slashed its final dividend in respect of 2012 by 82.1 percent, bringing the full-year payout reduction to 28.8 percent. Revenue for the year was flat, but EBITDA was down 29 percent and statutory NPAT slid by 58 percent. Slowing global mining activity and corporate restructuring have taken a serious toll. Hold.

Caltex Australia Ltd’s (ASX: CTX, OTC: CTXAF) 2012 final dividend was 17.8 percent lower than a year ago, reflecting the closure of the Kurnell refinery. Operations and financials were otherwise healthy.

Caltex stock has actually been on a strong run of late. Last month we had the stock a “buy,” but the price has run so far past our buy-under target of USD16 that we’re making official what was effectively true. Hold.

Technology

Redflex Holdings Ltd (ASX: RDF, OTC: RFLXF) had previously disclosed an investigation into the relationship between one of its employees and a city official that involved improper benefits passing from the former to the latter. Chicago, which accounted for approximately 13 percent of fiscal 2012 revenue, will not allow Redflex to bid on impending contracts for new traffic light camera installations.

Now comes what word that Redflex’ internal investigation has revealed that “two additional geographies” in the US may have similar problems.

Fiscal 2013 first-half NPAT was below forecast at AUD3.6 million, revenue was down 7.2 percent and EBITDA was off by 25.8 percent. And the board hasn’t decided whether to pay an interim dividend. Sell.

Telecommunications

Telecom Corp of New Zealand (ASX: NZT, OTC: NZTCF) reduced its interim dividend by 11.1 percent after a significant restructuring of the company in calendar 2012. Management reported comparable adjusted EBITDA growth of 3.7 percent, as it appears the business is now relatively stable based on its recent history.

But management also revised downward full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance. Sell.

The ADR List

We continue to track the How They Rate coverage universe and beyond for Australia-based companies that afford US investors the convenience of ADR investing, either on their initiative or via the effort of an interested financial institution.

Here again is our primer on Australian stocks, US OTC symbols and ADRs.

The great majority of the companies under How They Rate coverage have US symbols, many because they actively seek to raise capital here on their own accord. That means they comply, to varying degrees, with US Securities and Exchange Commission filing requirements for foreign companies and with US accounting principles. Others trade here because a sponsoring institution has effectively created a secondary market for the shares, without the underlying company’s active participation.

Shares traded on US OTC markets bearing a final “F” in their five-letter symbols are basically home-listed shares trading in a market created by and for US institutions. Individuals can buy and sell here, too. Prices basically reflect ASX prices and also reflect changes in the relationship between the US dollar and the Australian dollar. One “F” share represents one ASX-listed share. The dividend you receive in respect of an “F” share is the dividend paid in respect of the ASX-listed share, adjusted for currency effects.

An ADR is a certificate that represents stock of a foreign company. ADRs are listed on US stock exchanges or the OTC Bulletin Board or Pink Sheets. Those that trade OTC have five-letter symbols ending with the letter “Y.” All transactions, including dividend payments, are conducted in US dollars.

One ADR certificate may represent one or more shares of the foreign stock; it can also represent a fraction of a share. For example, one Telstra Corp Ltd (ASX: TLS, OTC: TTRAF, ADR: TLSYY) ADR, which trades under the symbol TLSYY, is worth five ordinary shares that trade on the Australian Securities Exchange under the symbol TLS. Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd’s (ASX: ANZ, OTC: ANEWF, ADR: ANZBY) ADR, ANZBY, is worth one Australia-listed ANZ share.

Because many ADRs don’t have a one-to-one ratio between the depositary receipts and the shares of stock, financial ratios are often not included in stock listings. Data in Australian Edge Portfolio tables and How They Rate is derived based on Australian Securities Exchange symbols so is as complete as you’ll find anywhere.

Foreign companies themselves often “sponsor” the creation of their own ADRs. These are called “sponsored ADRs.” There are three levels of sponsorship.

A Level I sponsored ADR is created by a company because it wants to extend the market for its securities to the US. It does not, however, want to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or conform to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Level I ADRs trade on the OTC Bulletin Board or Pink Sheets trading systems, usually but not exclusively by institutional investors. Australia & New Zealand Banking Group’s is a Level I ADR.

Level II and Level III sponsored ADRs must be registered with the SEC, and financial statements must be reconciled to generally accepted accounting principles. A Level II ADR requires partial compliance with GAAP, while a Level III ADR requires complete compliance. A Level III sponsorship is require if the ADR is a primary offering and is used to raise capital for the company. Only Level II and Level III sponsored ADRs can be listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the American Stock Exchange or Nasdaq. Telstra Corp sponsors a Level III ADR in the US, meaning it’s actively seeking to raise capital here.

An unsponsored ADR is created by a US investment bank or brokerage that buys ordinary shares on the underlying company’s home market then deposits them in a local custodian bank. This depositary bank then issues shares that represent an interest in the stocks and handles most of the transactions with American investors, serving both as transfer agent and registrar for the ADR.

The shares of the foreign stock held in the custodian bank are called “American Depositary Shares,” although this term is sometimes used as a synonym for “American Depositary Receipts.” Unsponsored ADRs can’t be listed on the major American stock exchanges because they aren’t registered with the SEC and lack other necessary qualifications.

The price of an ADR is determined by supply and demand but will generally track the price of the underlying ordinary share. When dividends are paid, the custodian bank receives it and withholds any foreign taxes, exchanges it for US dollars and then sends it to the depositary bank, which then sends it to the investors.

The US depositary bank handles most of the interaction with US investors, including rights offerings, stock splits and stock dividends. Sponsored ADR investors may receive communications, including financial statements, directly from the company.

Here is a list of companies in the How They Rate coverage universe that have an ADR listing in the US, along with the number of ordinary ASX-listed shares the ADR represents.

Basic Materials          

• Alumina Ltd (ASX: AWC, NYSE: AWC)–One ADR is worth four ordinary shares.
• Aquarius Platinum Ltd (ASX: AQP, OTC: AQPBF, ADR: AQPTY)–One ADR is worth two ordinary shares.
• Arrium Ltd (ASX: ARI, OTC: ARRMF, ADR: OSTLY)–One ADR is worth 20 ordinary shares.
• BHP Billiton Ltd (ASX: BHP, NYSE: BHP)–One NYSE-listed ADR is worth two ordinary shares.
• BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL, OTC: BLSFF, ADR: BLSFY)–One ADR is worth five ordinary shares.
• Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX: FMG, OTC: FSUMF, ADR: FSUMY)–One ADR is worth five ordinary shares.
• Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU, OTC: ILKAF, ADR: ILKAY)–One ADR is worth five ordinary shares.
• Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd (ASX: KCN, OTC: KSKGF, ADR: KSKGY)–One ADR is worth one ordinary share.
• Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN, OTC: MALRF, ADR: MALRY)–One ADR is worth one ordinary share.
• Newcrest Mining Ltd (ASX: NCM, OTC: NCMGF, ADR: NCMGY)–One ADR is worth one ordinary share.
• Oz Minerals Ltd (ASX: OZL, OTC: OZMLF, ADR: OZMLY)–One ADR is worth 0.5 ordinary shares.
• Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO, NYSE: RIO)–One ADR is worth one ordinary share.

Consumer Goods

• Billabong International Ltd (ASX: BBG, OTC: BLLAF, ADR: BLLAY)–One ADR is worth two ordinary shares.
• Goodman Fielder Ltd (ASX: GFF, OTC: GDFLF, ADR: GDFLY)–One ADR is worth 10 ordinary shares.

Consumer Services

• Crown Ltd (ASX: CWN, OTC: CWLDF, ADR: CWLDY)–One ADR is worth two ordinary shares.
• David Jones Ltd (ASX: DJS, ADR: DJNSY)–One ADR is worth one ordinary share.
• Metcash Ltd (ASX: MTS, OTC: MCSHF, ADR: MHTLY)–One ADR is worth six ordinary shares.
• TABCORP Holdings Ltd (ASX: TAH, OTC: TABCF, ADR: TACBY)–One ADR is worth two ordinary shares.
• Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES, OTC: WFAFF, ADR: WFAFY)–One ADR is worth 0.5 ordinary share.

Financials

• Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ASX: ANZ, OTC: ANEWF, ADR: ANZBY)–One ADR is worth one ordinary share.
• Commonwealth Bank of Australia Ltd (ASX: CBA, OTC: CBAUF, ADR: CMWAY)–One ADR is worth one ordinary share.
• National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB, OTC: NAUBF, ADR: NABZY)–One ADR is worth one ordinary share.
• QBE Insurance Ltd (ASX: QBE, OTC: QBEIF, ADR: QBIEY)–One ADR is worth one ordinary share.
• Westfield Group Ltd (ASX: WDC, OTC: WEFIF, ADR: WFGPY)–One ADR is worth two ordinary shares.
• Westpac Banking Corp Ltd (ASX: WBC, NYSE: WBK)–One ADR is worth five ordinary shares.

Health Care

• Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH, OTC: CHEOF, ADR: CHEOY)–One ADR is worth 0.5 ordinary share.
• CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL, OTC: CMXHF, ADR: CMXHY)–One ADR is worth 0.5 ordinary share.
• Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL, OTC: SKHCF, ADR: SKHCY)–One ADR is worth one ordinary share.

Industrials

• Amcor Ltd (ASX: AMC, OTC: AMCRF, ADR: AMCRY)–One ADR is worth four ordinary shares.
• Boral Ltd (ASX: BLD, OTC: BOALF, ADR: BOALY)–One ADR is worth four ordinary shares.
• GWA Group Ltd (ASX: GWA, OTC: GWAXF, ADR: GWAXY)–One ADR is worth four ordinary shares.
• Toll Holdings Ltd (ASX: TOL, OTC: THKUF, ADR: THKUY)–One ADR is worth two ordinary shares.

Oil & Gas

• Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT, OTC: BEPTF, ADR: BCHEY)–One ADR is worth 20 ordinary shares.
• Boart Longyear Ltd (ASX: BLY, OTC: BOARF, ADR: BLGPY)–One ADR is worth two ordinary shares.
• Caltex Australia Ltd (ASX: CTX, OTC: CTXAF, ADR: CTXAY)–One ADR is worth two ordinary shares.
• Oil Search Ltd (ASX: OSH, OTC: OISHF, ADR: OISHY)–One ADR is worth 10 ordinary shares.
• Santos Ltd (ASX: STO, OTC: STOSF, ADR: SSLTY)–One ADR is worth one ordinary share.
• Woodside Petroleum Ltd (ASX: WPL, OTC: WOPEF, ADR: WOPEY)–One ADR is worth one ordinary share.