S&P/ASX 200 to open lower: 4 shares to watch today

The S&P/ASX 200 (Index:^AXJO) (ASX:XJO) is expected to trade lower following weak leads from international markets on Friday. Shares in focus will include Carsales.Com Ltd (ASX:CAR), Medibank Private Ltd (ASX:MPL) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX:CBA).

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

Here's a recap:

  • Dow Jones (USA): up 0.11%
  • NASDAQ (USA): down 0.14%
  • FTSE 100 (UK): down 1.49%
  • DAX (Germany): down 1.71%
  • CAC 40 (France): down 2.13%

In Europe, shares capped off last week in poor fashion, falling more than 1% as resources companies tumbled lower. FTSE-listed shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) fell 2.15% and 3.4%, respectively.

In the US, markets ended mostly flat, having rallied more than 5% during March.

Closer to home, the Sydney Futures Exchange is tipping a 12-point, or 0.2%, fall in the S&P/ASX 200.

Shares in focus will include Carsales.Com Ltd (ASX: CAR). This morning, the leading automotive listing site announced the acquisition of a controlling stake in Chileautos, the number-one classifieds website in Chile. Carsales.Com will own 83% of the business, while existing owners will retain 17%. The initial investment cost Carsales US$15 million.

Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) this morning announced the appointment of Craig Drummond as Managing Director and CEO. Most recently, Mr Drummond was Group Executive, Finance and Strategy at National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB). Medibank Chair, Elizabeth Alexander AM, said, "The Board is delighted an executive of Craig's calibre has agreed to lead Medibank."

Finally, in broker news, analysts at Deutsche Bank raised their price target on shares of Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) 5.1% to $78, while Credit Suisse analysts cut their Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) price target 1.6% to $27.10, according to Dow Jones Newswires.

Motley Fool Contributor 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. 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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