The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AJXO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to trade flat following mixed leads from international markets overnight.
Here's a recap:
- Dow Jones (USA): down 1.8%
- NASDAQ (USA): down 2.2%
- FTSE 100 (UK): down 2.3%
- DAX (Germany): down 1.8%
- EURO STOXX 50 (Europe): down 2.3%
In the US, a sharp fall in oil prices prompted investors towards the exits. In Europe, a similar theme played out. Oil giant BP posted a $6.5 billion loss for 2015, and its shares fell 8%. FTSE-listed shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) fell 2.7% and 4.6%, respectively.
Closer to home, the Sydney Futures Exchange is tipping a 69-point, or 1.4%, fall in the S&P/ASX 200.
One company which will be in particular focus on the market today is National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB). This morning, NAB announced the final price which institutional investors will pay for the upcoming divestment of Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banking Group (ASX: CYB) (its UK subsidiary).
"This effectively concludes the demerger and IPO process for CYBG," the company said. Priced at 180 pence per share, it means CYBG will be worth $3.2 billion based on today's exchange rates. NAB will sell 25% of CYBG shares to institutional investors while current NAB shareholders will receive the remaining 75%. ASX-listed CYBG shares are expected to begin trading on the ASX on 17 February 2016.
In other company news, Ziptel Ltd (ASX: ZIP) said it has partnered with ironSource, a leading app discovery business.
ASX Ltd (ASX: ASX) released its monthly activities report showing a total of 2,210 companies listed on the market at the end of January, down from 2,238 at the beginning of the month.
Finally, in broker news, Bell Potter has cut its share price target on Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN) 3.5% to $13.10, while Credit Suisse analysts raised their Navitas Limited (ASX: NVT) price target 7% to $4.60, according to Dow Jones Newswires.
