The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to trade lower today following mixed leads from international markets overnight.
Here's a recap:
- Dow Jones (USA): down 0.23%
- NASDAQ (USA): up 0.27%
- FTSE 100 (UK): up 0.13%
- DAX (Germany): up 0.42%
- CAC 40 (France): up 0.09%
In Europe, markets ended slightly higher despite concerns out of Brussels, expectations of a Brexit (Britain exiting the Eurozone) and mixed economic data from Germany. FTSE-listed shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) closed 0.3% and 1.5% lower.
In the US, markets also put in a mixed performance. The healthcare and technology sectors were the best-performing while companies in the consumer staples sector weighed on markets.
Closer to home, the Sydney Futures Exchange is tipping a seven-point, or 0.1%, fall in the S&P/ASX 200.
Shares in focus will include Brickworks Limited (ASX: BKW). The building company today reported a 3% rise in first-half revenue and a profit increase of 19.4%. The company's Building Products and Property businesses helped the company lift profit.
Programmed Maintenance Services Limited (ASX: PRG) said it secured a $1.5 billion maintenance contract as the successful bidder for a Western Australian Government Maintenance Services Arrangement. The contract is expected to generate between $90 million and $120 million in revenue per year.
FONTERRA ORD UNIT (ASX: FSF) will also be in focus after the dairy co-operative reported a 9.3% fall in revenue and a profit of $409 million for the half-year period ended 31 January 2016.
Agricultural business Nufarm Limited (ASX: NUF) reported a 0.3% increase in half-year group revenue to $1.19 billion and a net loss of $91 million. Nufarm said it incurred one-off costs of $102.9 million, which resulted in the net loss.
FSA Group Ltd (ASX: FSA) announced it renewed its $250 million non-recourse home loan facility with Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) until 15 October 2017.
Finally, in broker news, Bell Potter analysts cut their price target on shares of Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd (ASX: VAH) 11% to $0.42, according to Dow Jones Newswires.
