S&P/ASX 200 to open lower: 6 shares to watch

The S&P/ASX 200 (Index:^AXJO)(ASX:XJO) is expected to trade sharply lower. Shares of JB Hi-Fi Limited (ASX:JBH), Nick Scali Limited (ASX:NCK) and Praemium Limited (ASX:PPS) will be in focus.

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The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AJXO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to trade sharply lower today following negative leads from international markets overnight.

Here's a recap:

  • Dow Jones (USA): down 1.1%
  • NASDAQ (USA): down 1.8%
  • FTSE 100 (UK): down 2.7%
  • DAX (Germany): down 3.3%

In Europe, falling commodity prices and last week's mixed US employment numbers spooked markets and led to selloffs on major indices on Monday. The Athens index fell 7.9%. FTSE-listed shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) rose 2% and 1.2%, respectively.

In the US, shares were sold off following European market jitters despite a late rally in the energy sector. Exxon Mobil closed up 1.4% while Facebook Inc fell 4.1%.

Closer to home, the SPI Equity futures is tipping a 64-point (~1.4%) fall in the S&P/ASX 200.

Shares of Nick Scali Limited (ASX: NCK) will be in focus after the furniture retailer announced a 32% rise in revenue and 40.7% jump in profit for the half-year to 31 December 2015. It also announced a 9 cents per share interim dividend.

Small cap investment platform developer Praemium Ltd (ASX: PPS) also announced its half-year report, revealing a 34% increase in revenue and 259% jump in profit for the half year.

Shopping Cntrs Austrls Prprty Gp Re Ltd (ASX: SCP) or SCA Property Group announced revenue growth of 15.6% but a 7.5% fall in profit for its first half.

Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd. (ASX: DMP) will also be in focus today. Shares of the pizza chain owner have fallen 13.3% in five days.

Finally, in broker news, Macquarie analysts have cut their price target on Ansell Limited (ASX: ANN) shares by 12% to $23 while Credit Suisse analysts raised their target on JB Hi-Fi Limited (ASX: JBH) shares 3.6% to $25.95.

Motley Fool writer/analyst Owen Raszkiewicz does not have a financial interest in any company mentioned. Owen welcomes -- and encourages -- your feedback on Google+, LinkedIn or you can follow him on Twitter @ASXinvest. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of ExxonMobil and Facebook. Unless otherwise noted, the author does not have a position in any stocks mentioned by the author in the comments below. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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