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): up 0.27%
- DAX (Germany): down 0.63%
- CAC 40 (France): down 0.34%
- Dow Jones (USA): down 1.02%
- NASDAQ (USA): down 1.25%
In London, shares ended higher following solid earnings reports. FTSE-listed shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) ended 2.55% and 0.64% higher, respectively.
US markets finished lower as oil prices rose and concerns over another interest rate hike grew. Shares in the energy and basic materials sectors were the best-performing, while utilities fell hardest.
Closer to home, the Sydney Futures Exchange is tipping a 29-point, or 0.5%, fall in the S&P/ASX 200.
Shares of SKYCITY Entertainment Group Limited-Ord (ASX: SKC) will be in focus. This morning, the gambling and entertainment business updated the market on its year-to-date performance revealing a 10.5% increase in group revenue and 8.6% rise in operating profit.
Infratil Ltd. (ASX: IFT) released its results for the year to 31 March 2016 showing a modest rise in operating profit and a final dividend of 9 cents per share.
As part of its decision to demerge its NZME business and raise capital, APN News and Media Limited (ASX: APN) released its scheme booklet. APN plans to conduct a 1-for-3 pro-rata accelerated renounceable entitlement offer at an offer price of 53 cents. That means shareholders can buy one new share for every three they currently own, at 53 cents, or sell those rights to someone who will buy the shares. They plan to raise $180 million through the offering then consolidate all shares at a ratio of 1-to-7, meaning every seven shares held will be merged into one new share of greater value.
Freedom Foods Group Ltd (ASX: FNP) announced a partnership with International Dairy Products (IDP) to manufacture UHT dairy products for the Vietnamese market. It also announced a strategic partnership with Pinlive Foods, one of China's leading imported food and beverage brand distributors.
Donaco International Ltd (ASX: DNA) updated the market and said its recent normalised group operating profit is on track to meet analysts' consensus.
Finally, in recent broker news:
- Canaccord Genuity analysts raised their Orocobre Limited (ASX: ORE) price target 23% to $5.15;
- Canaccord Genuity analysts also lifted their Vita Group Limited (ASX: VTG) price target 21% to $3.92; and
- UBS analysts raised their DuluxGroup Limited (ASX: DLX) price target 8.2% to $6.60, according to Dow Jones Newswires.
