The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to drift lower when the market opens this morning with the Sydney Futures Exchange pointing to a 0.3% decline.
Here's a quick recap:
- FTSE 100 (UK): down 0.66%
- DAX (Germany): down 0.51%
- CAC 40 (France): down 0.44%
- Dow Jones (USA): up 0.09%
- NASDAQ (USA): down 0.15%
Vocus Communications Limited (ASX: VOC) will be one to watch today following further resignations at its board level on Wednesday.
Similarly, OFX Group Ltd (ASX: OFX) – formerly OzForex Group – fell sharply on Wednesday and will likely be in the spotlight again today.
BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) fell victim to volatile commodity prices during yesterday's session. Iron ore and oil both fell overnight.
Gold inched lower as well. Businesses such as EVOLUTION FPO (ASX: EVN) and St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) have come under considerable pressure recently as a result of the falling gold price, and investors in the sector may be starting to get a little concerned over the direction of the industry.
Toll road operator Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) released its September quarter update this morning, reporting a 10.8% increase in proportional toll revenue compared to the prior corresponding period. It also experienced traffic growth of 4.9%.
Elsewhere, the ACCC has expressed concerns regarding the proposed acquisition of Pillar by Link Administration Holdings Ltd (ASX: LNK).
ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said: "The ACCC is concerned that the possible acquisition will remove the only alternative superannuation administration services provider with the demonstrated capacity to supply administration services to larger funds in competition with Link. Consequently, there would be one dominant administration provider facing limited competitive constraint in the outsourced market."
