S&P/ASX 200 to open higher: 7 shares to watch

The S&P/ASX 200 (Index:^AXJO) (ASX:XJO) is expected to trade higher following mixed leads from international markets on Friday. Shares in focus will include Aconex Ltd (ASX:ACX), Vista Group International Ltd (ASX:VGL) and iCar Asia Ltd (ASX:ICQ).

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

Here's a recap:

  • Dow Jones (USA): up 0.61%
  • NASDAQ (USA): up 0.92%
  • FTSE 100 (UK): down 0.47%
  • DAX (Germany): down 1.71%
  • CAC 40 (France): down 1.43%

In Europe, markets ended lower on the back of a slide in oil prices and employment data out of the US. The resources sector was hit particularly hard, shares of Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) and BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) ended the week 0.6% and 1.3% lower, respectively.

US markets finished the week strongly with the materials and consumer goods sectors pushing higher.

Closer to home, the Sydney Futures Exchange is tipping a 23-point, or 0.4%, rise in the S&P/ASX 200.

Vista Group International Ltd (ASX: VGL) shares will be in focus. This morning, Vista Group announced the acquisition of a 50% stake in London-based entertainment industry marketing, music video and creative content company, Powster Limited.

Ziptel Ltd (ASX: ZIP) announced its Ambassador Campaign drove 2 million installs in four weeks.

iCar Asia Ltd (ASX: ICQ) has appointed Hamish stone as CEO, starting June 2016. Mr Stone has relevant experience from a previous role in the Netherlands. Carsales.Com Ltd (ASX: CAR) is a major shareholder of iCar Asia.

Aconex Ltd (ASX: ACX) announced it signed a three-year enterprise agreement with Fluor Corporation for project information and process management for its projects worldwide. "Our enterprise agreement with Fluor is a key milestone," Aconex CEO, Leigh Jasper, said.

Finally, in broker news, analysts at Deutsche Bank raised their Ten Network Holdings Limited (ASX: TEN) share price target from $0.16 to $0.95, while Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) analysts upped their price target on Downer EDI Limited (ASX: DOW) shares 9.5% to $4.05, according to Dow Jones Newswires.

Motley Fool Contributor Owen Raszkiewicz does not have a financial interest in any company mentioned. Owen welcomes -- and encourages -- your feedback on Google+, LinkedIn or you can follow him on Twitter @ASXinvest. 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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