The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to open lower this morning after oil prices continued to drift lower overnight. The Australian dollar also rebounded marginally although, much to the Reserve Bank's delight, it remains below US75 cents.
Here's a quick recap:
- FTSE 100 (UK): up 0.12 %
- DAX (Germany): down 0.08 %
- CAC 40 (France): down 0.39%
- Dow Jones (USA): down 0.18%
- NASDAQ (USA): up 0.36%
Energy shares could come under pressure again today after oil prices slipped more than 2% to below US$46 a barrel. That could weigh on Santos Ltd (ASX: STO), Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) and BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP), amongst others.
Investors will continue to analyse the confirmed acquisition of The Good Guys by JB Hi-Fi Limited (ASX: JBH). The shares will remain in a trading halt today, but some investors have started to express their concerns over the $870 million deal.
That could also have an impact on shares of Harvey Norman Holdings Limited (ASX: HVN), which some say could benefit if the integration of The Good Guys into JB Hi-Fi's business doesn't go according to plan.
Speaking of consumer electronics, Vita Group Limited (ASX: VTG) and Kogan.com Ltd (ASX: KGN) could get a boost after shares of iPhone maker Apple surged higher overnight.
Apple's shares rose on rising optimism regarding sales of the new iPhone 7, with both businesses in a position to benefit. Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) could also benefit.
Other shares that investors are likely to take a look at today are Impedimed Limited (ASX: IPD) and BigAir Group Limited (ASX: BGL), together with Superloop Ltd (ASX: SLC).
Shares of Impedimed rose strongly on Wednesday but gave up most of their gains by the close. Meanwhile, BigAir Group shares soared higher after Superloop launched a takeover bid for the business, with Superloop's own shares ending the session sharply lower.
CYBG PLC CDI 1:1 (ASX: CYB), or Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank, could also get a look after its shares fell 5% on Wednesday.
