The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to trade higher today following positive leads from international markets overnight.
Here's a recap:
- Dow Jones (USA): up 0.28%
- NASDAQ (USA): down 0.51%
- FTSE 100 (UK): up 0.58%
- DAX (Germany): up 0.39%
- CAC 40 (France): up 0.58%
In London, trading was volatile but shares ended higher ahead of the results from the US Federal Reserve and Bank of Japan policy updates. FTSE-listed shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) ended 1.1% and 0.1% lower, respectively.
In the US, major technology shares weighed heavily on markets. Apple Inc. shares closed 6.2% lower, while Twitter Inc shares fell 16%. Both companies reported their results yesterday, missing the expectations set by analysts.
Closer to home, the Sydney Futures Exchange is tipping a 52-point, or 1%, rise in the S&P/ASX 200.
Shares in focus will include Broadspectrum Ltd (ASX: BRS). Yesterday afternoon, Broadspectrum announced it secured $100 million in energy sector work and reaffirmed its outlook for its 2016 and 2017 financial years.
This morning, Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) reported its quarterly results for the period through March. The gold miner revealed production of 142,630 ounces, down slightly on the prior quarter, at an all-in sustaining cost of $985 per ounce.
Genesis Energy Ltd (ASX: GNE) and Meridian Energy Ltd (ASX: MEZ) entered a four-year swap agreement which will keep the two coal/gas Rankine Units at the Huntly Power Station available in the electricity market.
Also this morning, Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP) issued a market update saying it remains on track to achieve underlying earnings per share growth between 6.5% and 7.5% in FY16.
Finally, in broker news, analysts at Canaccord Genuity raised their Senex Energy Ltd (ASX: SXY) price target 33% to $0.28, while Bell Potter analysts cut their Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) price target 3.3% to $88, according to Dow Jones Newswires.
