The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) looks set to bounce 8 points when the opening bell rings this morning, following a rather mixed night for global equity markets. Where the market finishes the day, however, could depend on how investors perceive the local jobs data being released today.
Here's a quick recap:
- FTSE 100 (UK): up 0.38%
- DAX (Germany): up 0.51%
- CAC 40 (France): down 0.13%
- Dow Jones (USA): down 0.11%
- NASDAQ (USA): up 0.31%
BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) could benefit from a 0.6% rise in the iron ore price overnight, according to The Metal Bulletin. That said, oil prices fell 2.1% which could weigh on BHP.
Small-cap chocolate manufacturer Yowie Group Ltd (ASX: YOW) released its quarterly earnings report. It reported a 44% year-over-year net sales increase for the period.
Bega Cheese Ltd (ASX: BGA) announced it has agreed to acquire most of Mondelez International's Australia and New Zealand grocery and cheese business, acquiring brands such as Vegemite, ZoOSh and Bonox.
Carsales.Com Ltd (ASX: CAR) announced it will lose its CEO, Mr Greg Roebuck, to retirement, with its current COO, Mr Cameron McIntyre, set to replace him. Mr Roebuck has been the CEO of Carsales since 2002 and has been a highly valuable leader in that time.
Meanwhile, Rent.com.au Ltd (ASX: RNT) has also reported its quarterly results, reporting a $1.25 million operating cash outflow for the second quarter.
A couple of other businesses worth watching today include Nanosonics Ltd. (ASX: NAN) and Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE). Nanosonics enjoyed a significant rally from a strong earnings update, but its shares have since handed back all of those gains, while Treasury Wine's shares rallied more than 6% on Wednesday.
Before getting started on your day, it may also be worth checking out these two articles:
