The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO)(ASX: XJO) is expected to open higher on Friday.
Here's a quick recap of global markets:
- FTSE 100 (UK): up 0.3%
- DAX (Germany): up 0.4%
- CAC 40 (France): up 0.7%
- Dow Jones (USA): up 0.6%
- NASDAQ (USA): up 0.8%
In London, shares bounced back after two days of sell-downs. It comes ahead of the UK General Election next week, with polls showing a drop in support for the current government. FTSE-listed shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) fell 0.25% while shares of Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) ended 0.5% higher.
Across the pond, US markets ended firmly higher, as President Trump dropped his country's commitment to climate change.
Closer to home, the ASX 200 is expected to open higher.
Shares in focus include laboratory testing business ALS Ltd (ASX: ALQ), which this morning confirmed the acquisitions of the USA's Marshfield Food Services and OILCHECK in Brazil.
Qube Holdings Ltd (ASX: QUB) announced the successful completion of a $118 million capital raising to institutions. Retail investors can participate in the company's upcoming $110 million shareholder capital raising.
Technology business GBST Holdings Limited (ASX: GBT) updated the market on its migration of the back and middle-office functions of Deutsche Bank to GBST Syn~.
Finally, analysts at RBC Capital Markets cut their South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) share price target 14% to $3, and Morgans analysts cut their Tatts Group Limited (ASX: TTS) price target 8.2% to $4.26, according to Dow Jones Newswires.
