For those interested (Sprint?), a really useful and fast website for ASX info is:
http://www.marketindex.com.au/upcoming-dividends

Click on the ASX code & it gives you quick reference to upcoming dividends, company research, announcements, history, chart etc
without wading through a broker's often tedious website.

A market outlook from one fund manager:

Chief Investment Officer of John Bridgeman Limited, Stuart McAuliffe, states:
“We made some decisions last year that played out very well, resulting in an increase of over 100% on our trading accounts in six months. While anything can happen in the market, we expect to even better that achievement this year. As a result, many have asked us what we think will happens this year.
“While we cannot give you all of our proprietary models, we can tell you what we think will happen and where the action lies:
1. Chinese stocks go on a mid to end year tear beating all developed markets, soaring over 20%.
2. The Mexican Peso continues as the best performing currency in the world doubling its returns so far this year (approximately 12% so far).
3. Reformist Macron wins the French election and French stocks soar taking European banks and insurers with them. A 20% ‘up year’ in European stocks crushes bears.
4. Bunds (German 10 year bonds) and other safe havens get truly mauled (they had it coming).
5. Commodities continue to rally into year-end after a dip right now, confounding critics.
6. The British Pound becomes the best performing developed world currency from here, closely followed by the Euro rallying 10%, again shocking forecasters.
7. The NASDAQ 100 is the best performing US stock index.
8. Trump economic policies fail to deliver for most of this year, but all come together by the end of 2017 and push markets higher into year-end and the bull continues throughout 2018. Bears tell us daily that this just cannot be – but we believe it is.
9. The ASX is an average performer – we think you should focus on global funds.
10. If you think you are long enough stocks, you probably are not. If you are worried you are too conservatively placed, well, don’t say we didn’t warn you."
DISCLAIMER: The information in this Market Outlook (Outlook) has been prepared by John Bridgeman Limited for Henry Morgan Limited ACN 602 041 770 and is based on the opinions of John Bridgeman Limited regarding market conditions as at the date of this Outlook. This information is given in summary form and does not purport to be complete. Information in this Outlook, including forecast financial information, should not be considered as advice or a recommendation to investors or potential investors in relation to holding, purchasing or selling securities or other financial products or instruments and does not take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situation or needs. Readers should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to these matters, and should seek independent financial advice

Well all I'd say is he knows more than me plus his reputation in the market depends on him not making a fool of himself, a luxury you and I can afford.

PostScript:
The chief of funds manager Allan Gray describes the Downer bid as "disastrous".
"We're very upset with this deal, I think it's crazy," Mr Mawhinney said. "They could walk away from this deal, hopefully they do."

Mr Mawhinney said he was "staggered" by the 59 per cent takeover premium that Downer was offering Spotless shareholders, valuing the company at around $2 billion, including debt. "It vastly exceeds the true value of the company ... I don't see the economic rationale behind this transaction."

Allan Gray however themselves took up the institutional offer, the rationale being share prices post bid very rarely collapse so spectacularly.

Congratulations to Coles for awarding a contract to local manufacturer & distributor Maxitrans for 395 new trailers for supermarket deliveries.
It makes sense of course. The barriers to entry must be considerable and Maxitrans also has parts & service centres all over the country.

But it means 100 more jobs at Maxitrans.

WESFARMERS RETAILERS THIRD QUARTER SALES RESULTS:

* Coles food and liquor sales rose 1.2 per cent to $7.6 billion

* Bunnings Australia & NZ sales rose 7.7 per cent to $2.8 billion

* Bunnings UK and Ireland sales were $400 million

* Kmart sales rose 2.5 per cent to $1.1 billion

* Target sales fell 18.1 per cent to $555 million

* Officeworks sales rose 9.0 per cent to $558 million

(Source: Wesfarmers trading update for the three months to March 26, 2017)

Negative sentiment from investors towards the banking sector is expected to grow . . .

Sam Ferraro, Evidente:
•Expect brokers to adjust their earnings forecasts lower, likely to be accompanied by further selling
•The housing cycle remains a key concern with bank profits at risk of being squeezed at the revenue and cost lines
•There is plenty of negative sentiment towards the sector right now, on current book multiple this 'bearish' sentiment doesn't appear to be justified
•The 2017 Budget has delivered a massive 'hospital pass' from Malcolm Turnbull to the Banks with the introduction of a new bank levy...

Well that's right. By definition, if you put a tax on something it's going to make it less attractive.