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

The S&P/ASX 200 (Index:^AXJO)(ASX:XJO) is expected to trade mostly sideways today. Shares of NIB Holdings Limited (ASX:NHF), BlueScope Steel Limited (ASX:BSL) and Brambles Limited (ASX:BXB) will be in focus.

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The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AJXO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to trade flat today following soft leads from international markets on Friday.

Here's a recap:

  • Dow Jones (USA): down 0.13%
  • NASDAQ (USA): up 0.38%
  • FTSE 100 (UK): down 0.36%
  • DAX (Germany): down 0.8%

The Sydney Futures Exchange is tipping a flat open for the local S&P/ASX 200 today.

Shares in focus will include BlueScope Steel Limited (ASX: BSL). This morning, the steel business reported a 2.3% increase in revenue and 98% rise in net profit for its most recent half-year reporting period.

APN Outdoor Group Ltd (ASX: APO) reported a 20% jump in revenue and a profit of $25.7 million for the year ended 31 December 2015.

NIB Holdings Limited (ASX: NHF) reported revenue growth of 13% and a profit increase of 5% for its most recent half-year. Brambles Limited (ASX: BXB) reported a 2% fall in revenue and 2% increase in profit for the half-year to 31 December 2015.

Future Generation Investment Company Ltd (ASX: FGX) reported a 9.3% increase in net tangible assets per share for its half-year, while Future Generation Global Invstmnt Co Ltd (ASX: FGG) reported net tangible assets of $1.07 per share.

MMA Offshore Ltd (ASX: MMA) revealed a 32.3% fall in revenue and 82.8% fall in profit for its most recent half-year. Pioneer Credit Ltd (ASX: PNC) reported a 36% increase in profit and 152% increase in profit for its half year to 31 December 2015.

Southern Cross Media Group (ASX: SXL) reported a 4.7% increase in revenue and 25% increase in profit for its half-year.

Finally, G8 Education Ltd (ASX: GEM) reported a 44% jump in revenue and 68% increase in profit for the year ended 31 December 2015.

Motley Fool writer/analyst Owen Raszkiewicz owns shares of NIB Holdings, Future Generation Global Investment Company, is Long September 2017 $1.10 calls on Future Generation Global Investment Company, and has a financial interest in G8 Education. Owen welcomes -- and encourages -- your feedback on Google+, 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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