The Australian share market has started the trading week in the red, as losses from the banks and miners weigh on overall sentiment. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down 25.4pts or 0.6pct to 4455.5 at lunchtime in the East.

The financial sector has eased by ..pct with the Commonwealth Bank (CBA) down ..pct to $... as it pays out a dividend to shareholders.

Weaker metals trade in London on Friday night has weighed on the miners, with BHP Billiton (BHP) shares down 1.5pct to $39.78.

However the companies which have reported earnings today are performing exceptionally well.

Newcrest Mining (NCM) shares are up 1.4pct to $35.19 after the gold producer more than doubled its FY net profit to $556.9 million thanks to a surge in 2H production.

Bluescope Steel (BSL) shares are firmer by 2.2pct to $2.37 after rebounding from a loss to a $126 million FY profit and resuming shareholder dividend payments.

Lend Lease (LLC) shares have gained 1pct to $7.16 after its FY profit came in at $345.6 million, beating analyst expectations and its own guidance.

Construction giant Leighton Holdings (LEI) has posted a 39pct rise in annual profit to $611.9 million and forecast further growth as economic conditions improve. LEI will also pay an 85c final dividend, bringing its total financial year dividends to $1.50. LEI shares are up 5.5pct to $30.49 at lunchtime.

AWB Limited (AWB) shares have risen 31pct to $1.44 after the grains marketer received another takeover proposal today, this time from a US company. Graincorp (GNC), which has already launched a bid for AWB, is trading higher by 3.4pct to $6.48.

Sigma Pharmaceuticals (SIP) is firmer by 4pct 52.5c after agreeing to sell its pharmaceuticals division to Aspen Pharmacare for $900 million.

The Australian dollar is weaker at US88.9c, £0.5709 and €69.6c.