It was a bad week for the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) last week, but the main bourse looks set to rebound when trading opens this morning. The Sydney Futures Exchange was pointing to a 0.7% lift at around 8:00am.
Here's a quick recap on how international markets performed on Friday night:
- FTSE 100 (UK): up 2.2%
- DAX (Germany): up 1.42%
- CAC 40 (France): up 2.31%
- Dow Jones (USA): up 0.39%
- NASDAQ (USA): up 0.43%
It's possible that some investors will be focused on high-yield dividend shares today, ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia's meeting on Tuesday.
Although it is unlikely that the RBA will cut interest rates at this meeting, further cuts are possible in the near future – particularly if the US Federal Reserve prolongs any more interest rate hikes in that country. That could result in some movement for stocks such as Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS), which are both renowned for their solid dividend yields.
Estia Health Ltd (ASX: EHE) is likely to be in focus again today following a week from hell for shares of the aged care operator. The shares plunged last week on a poor earnings result, weak earnings guidance and a heavy sell-down in shares (as well as resignation from the board) by the group's founder.
Legal eagle Slater & Gordon Limited (ASX: SGH), online retailer Surfstitch Group Ltd (ASX: SRF) and travel insurance business Cover-More Group Ltd (ASX: CVO) also endured volatile weeks and could attract the attention of investors.
Brent oil and gold both enjoyed a return to form during the latest session, which should bode well for businesses such as BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Silver Lake Resources Limited. (ASX: SLR).
Meanwhile, Deutsche Bank upgraded its guidance on Amcor Limited (ASX: AMC) from Hold to Buy, which could support its share price today. It also upgraded its target price on Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) by 4.3% to $84.