The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AJXO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to trade slightly lower today following mixed leads from international markets overnight.
Here's a recap:
- Dow Jones (USA): up 0.5%
- NASDAQ (USA): up 0.1%
- FTSE 100 (UK): up 1.1%
- DAX (Germany): down 0.4%
- EURO STOXX 50 (Europe): up 0.3%
In the US, expectations that the Federal Reserve will not increase interest rates in 2016 drove the US dollar lower and boosted commodity prices. In after-hours trading, LinkedIn Corp shares were down 26.4%, after the professional social network released its fourth quarter results to the market.
In Europe, markets headed higher following a jump in mining shares. FTSE-listed shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) rose 5.5% and 7.2%, respectively.
Closer to home, the Sydney Futures Exchange is tipping a 14 point, or 0.2%, fall in the S&P/ASX 200.
Of particular focus will be shares of News Corp (ASX: NWS). The global media giant released its second quarter results to the market this morning showing a 4.4% fall in revenue and a 44% drop in earnings per share.
REA Group Limited (ASX: REA), the owner of realestate.com.au and more, revealed its half-year report to the market showing an 8% increase in revenue and a 9% drop in net profit.
Codan Limited (ASX: CDA), a resources technology business, reported an 8% lift in net profit after tax for its half-year. Meanwhile, Myob Group Ltd (ASX: MYO) said it has reached 170,000 online users of its online accounting software.
Finally, in broker news, analysts at Macquarie lowered their price target on BT Investment Management Ltd (ASX: BTT) shares 4.6% to $11.05, while Credit Suisse analysts cut their price target on Downer EDI Limited (ASX: DOW) 21% to $3.35, according to Dow Jones Newswires.
