Morning Market Movers: 8 stocks to watch

S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX:XJO) will open lower, with a focus on shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX:BHP), QUBE Holdings Ltd (ASX:QUB) and Santos Ltd (ASX:STO).

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The local S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to open the day lower despite a stronger performance from US and European stockmarkets on Friday.

Expectations are growing the US Federal Reserve will lift interest rates following a surge in labour market strength at the weekend. The Australian dollar plunged against the greenback on the news and currently sits at just US 70.26 cents.

UK-listed shares of Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) and BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) fell 0.75% and 5.7%, respectively, on Friday. BHP's share price woes followed news of a mudslide at one of its operations in Brazil.

The Sydney Futures Exchange is currently pointing to a 28-point drop in the ASX 200 today, representing a fall of around 0.5%.

Gold mining stocks such as Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) will also be in focus after gold prices closed below $US1,100 an ounce overnight. With iron ore down 1.03%, to $US48.21 per tonne, Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) and other miners could also come under pressure. Brent Crude oil prices also suffered another heavy fall, down 1.17% over the weekend.

In company-specific news, QUBE Holdings Ltd (ASX: QUB) will hold its Annual General Meeting today. Lately, QUBE has been locked in a battle to secure ownership of part of Asciano Ltd's (ASX: AIO) ports business. However, Asciano is still likely to be acquired as part of Canada's Brookfield Infrastructure Partners $8.9 billion takeover.

Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) shares are in a trading halt this morning after saying that it had completed its strategic review and will generate $3.5 billion in capital initiatives. In addition to asset sales, a $2.5 billion capital raising will be undertaken. In addition, Santos said it has appointed Mr Kevin Gallagher as CEO.

Motley Fool contributor Owen Raskiewicz has no position in any stocks mentioned. Owen welcomes your feedback on Google plus (see below), LinkedIn or you can follow him on Twitter @ASXinvest. Unless otherwise noted, the author does not have a position in any stocks mentioned by the author in the comments below. 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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