The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AJXO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to trade higher today following negative leads from international markets overnight.
Here's a recap:
- Dow Jones (USA): down 0.62%
- NASDAQ (USA): up 0.35%
- FTSE 100 (UK): up 0.71%
- DAX (Germany): up 1.55%
In Europe, despite pressure on mining shares markets staged a rally on the back of banking and financial shares. FTSE-listed shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) ended 1.8% lower and 0.8% higher, respectively.
In the US, technology shares boosted the NASDAQ but a broader retreat in financial and industrials shares took the Dow Jones lower.
Closer to home and the Sydney Futures Exchange is tipping a 20 point, or 0.4%, rise in the S&P/ASX 200.
Shares in focus will include Transurban Group (ASX: TCL). The toll road operator today announced revenue growth of 9.5% for its most recent half-year reporting period. Gateway Lifestyle Group (ASX: GTY) announced a half-year profit of $18.3 million on revenue of $53 million. Godfreys Group Ltd (ASX: GFY) revealed a 0.1% fall in revenue and 15% fall in net profit for its 2015 half-year.
Global media business News Corp (ASX: NWS) has declared a cash dividend of $0.10 to shareholders, payable March 9, 2016.
Insurance and banking heavyweight Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN) announced a 8% fall in revenue and 16% fall in profit for the period ended 31 December 2015.
Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd's (ASX: VAH) half-year revenue rose 11.8%, while profit increased 230.8% to $98.8 million, up from a loss in the prior corresponding period.
Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR) announced a half-year profit of $472.7 million, up from $279 million last year.
Meanwhile, Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) reported revenue up 56.6% with profit 79.3% higher, ASX Ltd's (ASX: ASX) profit came in 7.3% higher, and SKYCITY Entertainment Group Limited-Ord's (ASX: SKC) reported profit was up 30%.
