The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AJXO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to trade sharply lower today following negative leads from international markets on Friday.
Here's a recap:
- Dow Jones (USA): down 1.29%
- NASDAQ (USA): down 3.25%
- FTSE 100 (UK): down 0.86%
- DAX (Germany): down 1.14%
In the US on Friday, the NASDAQ fell 3% as big technology stocks took a tumble and Wall Street fell on mixed employment data. Alphabet Inc. (formally Google) and Apple Inc. fell 3.6% and 2.7%, respectively. European markets also ended sharply lower. FTSE-listed shares of Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) and BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) ended 2.9% and 0.4% lower, respectively.
Closer to home, the Sydney Futures Exchange is tipping a 56-point, or 1.1%, fall in the S&P/ASX 200.
Shares in focus will include JB Hi-Fi Limited (ASX: JBH). This morning, the retail heavyweight released its half-year results to the market revealing a 7.5% jump in profit and a dividend of 63 cents per share.
Ansell Limited (ASX: ANN) released its half-year results showing a 21% drop in net profit. Royal Wolf Holdings Ltd (ASX: RWH) reported a 26% drop in its half-year profit, a three cents per share interim dividend and the resignation of its CEO. In a statement to the ASX, Broadspectrum Ltd (ASX: BRS) said it expects its financial year 2016 underlying operating profit to come in between $280 million and $300 million.
Finally, Capitol Health Ltd (ASX: CAJ) recorded a 56% jump in revenue but a 52% fall in profit during its most recent half-year reporting period.
In broker news, analysts at Macquarie downgraded their price target on National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) shares by 3.2% to $30.50, while analysts at Deutsche Bank lifted their price target on WHITEHAVEN COAL LIMITED (ASX: WHC) shares 10% to $1.10.
