Company Interview / the open: Telstra posts profit rise 📳 Medibank profit falls

After what was a positive session on global markets, the local market is set to build on recent gains this morning with ASX futures up 0.37%. 

In company results, Telstra's interim net profit rose more than 9% to $1.1 billion, Medibank reported an 11% fall in net profit, and Hub24's first half underlying net profit after tax rose 60% to $68.3 million. 

On Wall Street the major indices were led higher by a rebound in tech stocks, although momentum was tempered with the release of Federal Reserve minutes which revealed discussion of possible rate hikes. 

In the US, Federal Reserve policymakers made a near-unanimous decision to keep interest rates on hold at their meeting last month, but remained split over the path forward. 

Oil prices have surged as traders priced in potential supply disruptions amid concerns of conflict between the US and Iran. The US dollar index is up 0.4% on the day, whilst the Australian dollar has weakened to US70.4 cents.