The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to trade lower today following negative leads from international markets.
Here's a recap:
- FTSE 100 (UK): down 0.95%
- DAX (Germany): down 1.13%
- CAC 40 (France): down 0.54%
- Dow Jones (USA): up 0.05%
- NASDAQ (USA): down 0.49%
In London, mining shares weighed the blue-chip index down following a note by UBS which cautioned over iron ore prices. FTSE-listed shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) ended 4.3% and 1.5% lower, respectively.
US markets put in a mixed day. Shares in 'safe' companies like consumer staples, telecommunications and utilities performed well, while the materials and healthcare sectors were the worst-performing.
Closer to home, the Sydney Futures Exchange is tipping an 11-point, or 0.2%, fall in the S&P/ASX 200.
Shares in focus will include Yowie Group Ltd (ASX: YOW). Yesterday evening, after the market's close, the small-cap confectionery business announced a trading halt in its securities pending an update on an equity raising.
SKYCITY Entertainment Group Limited (ASX: SKC) announced the completion of the institutional component of its recent capital raising.
Alacer Gold Corp (ASX: AQG) approved the full construction of its Çöpler Sulfide Project, while announcing first quarter financial results. The Corporation ended the quarter with $346.1 million in cash and an undrawn finance facility of $250 million.
Finally, according to data sourced from Dow Jones Newswires, here are some recent changes from the analyst community:
- Goldman Sachs analysts raised their Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) price target 17% to $3.05, raised their Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) price target 11% to $19.50 and lifted their Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) price target 5.9% to $1.80
- Macquarie analysts cut their AMP Limited (ASX: AMP) price target 3.3% to $5.8; and
- Credit Suisse initiated Nextdc Ltd (ASX: NXT) at 'Outperform' with a $3.70 price target
