Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA.AX)

CBA's price just touched its highest point relative to its recent range, while trading activity has been quieter than usual.

What is going on right now?

Commonwealth Bank's share price has climbed steadily over the past few weeks, sitting above where it traded on average over the last month or two, but still just below where it sat over the longer term going back roughly a year.

How is the business itself doing?

CBA earns money mainly from lending to Australian households and businesses. Its revenue grew about 6.5% recently, and its profit grew a bit faster at around 10.4%, with roughly 37 cents of every dollar in revenue turning into profit.

What stands out?

The company pays out about 76% of its earnings back to shareholders. That's a large share of what it makes, leaving less to reinvest in the business itself.

What comes next?

Reports of a slowdown in China's economy have been weighing on broader market confidence in Australia, and CBA's large exposure to Australian housing and trade ties to China means those headlines could show up in its next earnings update.