The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AJXO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to trade flat today following negative leads from international markets overnight.
Here's a recap:
- Dow Jones (USA): down 0.08%
- NASDAQ (USA): down 0.35%
- FTSE 100 (UK): down 1%
- DAX (Germany): down 1.1%
In Europe, mining shares weighed on markets as global growth concerns emerged. Brent crude was down 2.8% to $US31.95. Anglo American plc shares fell 11%, while FTSE-listed shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) closed 5.8% and 4.8% lower, respectively.
In the US, markets slide modestly lower despite heavy selloffs initially.
Closer to home, the Sydney Futures Exchange is tipping the S&P/ASX 200 to open flat.
Shares in focus will include Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), which today reported its half-year results revealing a 4% drop in revenue and 2% rise in profit.
Cimic Group Ltd (ASX: CIM), formally Leighton Holdings, announced its full-year results showing a 21% fall in revenue and 23% fall in profit. Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP) upped its half-year revenue 19.2%, with profit rising 8.1%.
Junior technology business, Nearmap Ltd (ASX: NEA), witnessed a 21% increase in revenue during its half, but a loss of $3.3 million was reported.
Half-year profit at Carsales.Com Ltd (ASX: CAR) rose 10% thanks to an 11% increase in revenue. AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL) announced an 8.1% jump in revenue but a loss of $449 million. Computershare Limited's (ASX: CPU) half-year revenue fell 2.4%, but statutory profit rose 443.7%.
Finally, Boral Limited (ASX: BLD) reported a 4% fall in revenue and 30.7% drop in profit.
In broker news, analysts at WilsonHTM raised their price target on Nick Scali Limited (ASX: NCK) shares 21% to $5.40 while Deutsche Bank analysts upped their AGL Energy Ltd price target 17% to $20.10, according to Dow Jones Newswires.
