The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AJXO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to trade lower following mixed leads from international markets overnight.
Here's a recap:
- Dow Jones (USA): down 1.38%
- NASDAQ (USA): down 2.18%
- FTSE 100 (UK): up 1.33%
- DAX (Germany): up 0.59%
- EURO STOXX 50 (Europe): up 0.40%
In the US, Wall Street ended more than 200 points lower. Despite a robust 3.5% rise in oil and lift in iron ore prices, quarterly reports disappointed investors and led major shares lower. Apple Inc shares closed a massive 6.55% lower, while Boeing Co closed almost 9% in the red.
In Europe, energy shares, reacting to a stabilisation of commodity prices, buoyed markets. FTSE-listed shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) ended 0.66% higher and 0.82% lower, respectively.
Closer to home, the Sydney Futures Exchange is tipping a 30 point, or 0.6%, fall in the S&P/ASX 200. Energy shares could, however, provide a reason to expect markets to remain buoyant.
Indeed, shares in focus today include the major commodities producers such as Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton, Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG), Oil Search Limited (ASX: OSH), Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO). Fortescue issued its quarterly production report to the ASX this morning.
Shares of AIR A.Z FPO NZ (ASX: AIZ) (Air New Zealand) will also be in focus. This morning, the leading airline reported strong monthly passenger statistics across the entire group.
Law firm Slater & Gordon Limited (ASX: SGH) updated the market on its "intention to review its approach to financial forecasting", stating it continues to work closely with auditors and advisors.
Qube Holdings Limited (ASX: QUB) issued a statement saying its proposal to buy Asciano Ltd (ASX: AIO) represents superior value to that proposed by Brookfield Infrastructure Partners.
Dairy giant FONTERRA ORD UNIT (ASX: FSF) revised downwards its forecast Farmgate Milk Price for the 2015/2016 season from $4.60 per kilogram of milk solids to $4.15 per kilogram of milk solids.
Shares of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) will also be watched closely after the regional bank announced sweeping managerial changes yesterday.
Finally, gold miners Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM), Resolute Mining Limited (ASX: RSG) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST), issued quarterly statements to the ASX this morning.