S&P/ASX 200 to open higher: 9 shares to watch

The S&P/ASX 200 (Index:^AXJO)(ASX:XJO) is expected to trade higher. Shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX:BHP), Rio Tinto Limited (ASX:RIO) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX:NST) will be in focus.

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The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AJXO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to trade higher today following positive leads from international markets on Friday.

Here's a recap:

  • Dow Jones (USA): up 2%
  • NASDAQ (USA): up 1.66%
  • FTSE 100 (UK): up 3.08%
  • DAX (Germany): up 2.45%

In Europe, energy and resources shares led the charge higher. Glencore Plc was a standout performer, rising 12.3%. Meanwhile, FTSE-listed shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) rose 6.5% and 5.6%, respectively.

In the US, the Dow Jones returned from a five-day losing streak with shares in the energy and retail sectors helping the market higher. Twitter Inc. shares jumped 11% while Bank of America Corp rallied 7%.

Closer to home, the Sydney Futures Exchange is tipping an 87 point, or 1.8%, jump in the S&P/ASX 200.

Shares in focus will include energy producers BHP, Santos Ltd (ASX: STO), Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) and Oil Search Limited (ASX: OSH).

Also, in focus will be shares of Hansen Technologies Limited (ASX: HSN) which today reported a 50% jump in revenue and 43% lift in profit for its most recent half-year reporting period.

Aurizon Holdings Ltd (ASX: AZJ) announced a 135% fall in profit and 11% decline in revenue for its first half of its 2016 financial year. Amcor Limited (ASX: AMC) reported a 5.4% fall in half-year USD-denominated revenue and a 4.9% fall in profit.

Alliance Aviation Services Ltd (ASX: AQZ) announced a profit of $4.9 million (up from a loss last year) on revenue of $92.9 million, down 10% on the prior period.

Finally, CSG Limited (ASX: CSV) upped its revenue 8% for the six months to 31 December 2015. Profit fell 3%.

In broker news, Deutsche Bank analysts raised their price target on Rio Tinto shares 4.5% to $57.50, while Canaccord Genuity lifted their price target on Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) shares by 17% to $3.40.

Motley Fool writer/analyst Owen Raszkiewicz has a financial interest in Hansen Technologies. 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 Twitter. 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 owns shares of Hansen Technologies. 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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