S&P/ASX 200 open Wednesday: 10 shares to watch

The S&P/ASX 200 (Index:^AXJO)(ASX:XJO) is expected to open lower on Wednesday, with shares of Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX:CBA) and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX:WBC) in focus.

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The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO)(ASX: XJO) is expected to open lower on Wednesday, with shares of Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) in focus.

Here's a quick recap of global markets:

  • FTSE 100 (UK): up 0.6%
  • DAX (Germany): up 0.4%
  • CAC 40 (France): up 0.3%
  • Dow Jones (USA): down 0.2%
  • NASDAQ (USA): down 0.1%

In London, shares ended higher following a rally in mining shares. FTSE-listed shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) ended 2.1% and 1.1% higher, respectively.

Across the pond, US markets ended lower despite reaching a new high during the period. Falling oil prices weighed on the energy sector.

Closer to home, the ASX 200 is expected to open slightly lower today, following a release of the Government's 2017 Budget overnight.

Shares in focus will include CBA, Westpac, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ), National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) and Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG). As part of the Government's Budget, a tax of 0.06% will be imposed on the Big Banks.

In other news, CSR Limited (ASX: CSR) announced that its full-year revenue rose 7% to $2.46 billion with profit up 25%.

Also in focus, Boart Longyear Ltd. (ASX: BLY) shares have entered a trading halt pending a Supreme Court announcement into a scheme by its creditors for the company's recapitalisation.

News Corp (ASX: NWS) reported a 5% rise in third-quarter sales and a break-even operating profit result, up from a $128 million loss last year.

REA Group Limited (ASX: REA) shares will also be in focus following a promising third quarter profit result. The owner of realestate.com.au reported revenue up 16% with operating profit up 20%.

Finally, Goldman Sachs analysts downgraded Fairfax Media Limited (ASX: FXJ) shares to 'neutral' from 'buy'.

Motley Fool Contributor Owen Raszkiewicz does not have a financial interest in any company mentioned. Owen welcomes and encourages your feedback. You can follow him on Twitter @OwenRask. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of National Australia Bank Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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