Briefs

Minara Resources shares surged after Glencore, the Swiss commodities producer, offered to buy the remaining 27% stake in the nickel miner that it did not already own. The shares closed up about 23.5% at 87.5 (after more than 35.93 million shares changed hands), a price just above Glencore's intended cash offer of 87 a share.

Transpacific Industries reported a full‑year net loss of $296.5 million, a swing from a $59 million profit the previous year. The company cited a total non‑cash write‑down of $340.7 million, and said it will make tough decisions to improve performance.

Regional Express Airlines (Rex) reported a net profit of $17.59 million for the 12 months to June 30, down 28.5% from the prior corresponding period. The airline attributed the profit fall to high fuel prices, natural disasters and the ending of tax incentives.

Skilled Group saw strong revenue from demand in the mining and resources sectors, but net profit plunged 75% to $3.14 million for the year to June 30. The company said restructuring and other costs were the main reasons for the sharp profit decline (down from $12.7 million the prior year).

Mortgage Choice said mortgage borrowers are keeping their loans for longer as consumer confidence has fallen. The average life of existing loans was about five years in 2010–11, up from roughly three years five years earlier.

National Hire Group more than tripled its full‑year profit, reporting a net profit after tax of $26.5 million for the year to June 30 — up 359% from $5.8 million in the previous corresponding period. The company expects further growth in 2011–12.

Following Glencore's intention to buy the remaining stake in Minara, trading activity spiked: more than 35.93 million Minara shares changed hands as the share price rose to just above Glencore's intended cash offer.

The updates highlight several investor‑relevant themes: takeover interest can sharply lift share prices (Minara/Glencore); large non‑cash write‑downs can drive big headline losses (Transpacific); commodity and operating costs affect airline profits (Regional Express); sector demand can boost revenue even if restructuring hits profits (Skilled); and cyclical equipment and hire businesses can recover strongly (National Hire). Each company also disclosed clear profit or loss figures and the primary reasons for the moves, useful for assessing short‑term outcomes.