0914 [Dow Jones] AXA Asia Pacific (AXA) expected to win support...

0914 [Dow Jones] AXA Asia Pacific (AXA) expected to win support after FY03 NPAT
up 180% at A$926 million. Headline result mainly inflated by A$366 million sale
of health business. Still, operating earnings - which analysts focus on - up 97%
at A$537 million, beating market estimates which ranged between A$390 million and
A$483 million. Result buoyed by recovery of investment earnings; AXA feels impact
of 34% rise in AUD over past year, which wiped A$80 million from headline
earnings. AXA also flags prospect of capital management initiatives, but these
won't be announced until interim earnings. AXA last traded at A$2.71. (ERJ)