The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to trade flat today following mixed leads from international markets.
Here's a recap:
- FTSE 100 (UK): down 0.03%
- DAX (Germany): up 0.54%
- CAC 40 (France): up 0.51%
- Dow Jones (USA): down 0.02%
- NASDAQ (USA): up 0.5%
In London, miners weighed on the market following strength from the US dollar. FTSE-listed shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) ended 2.1% and 2% lower, respectively.
US markets trended mostly sideways as expectations of a Federal Reserve interest rate rise mounted. Technology shares were the biggest movers while the materials sector came under pressure.
Closer to home, the Sydney Futures Exchange is tipping a flat start from the S&P/ASX 200.
Shares in focus will include James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX). This morning, the building supplies business reported full-year revenue up 4% but profit down 16% to US$244.4 million.
Infratil Ltd. (ASX: IFT) announced it has agreed to buy a 48% shareholding in Canberra Data Centres (CDC) for total cash equity of $392 million. The deal is subject to FIRB approval, but Infratil said CDC is anticipating strong growth in the near-term.
Nextdc Ltd (ASX: NXT) said it has agreed to acquire a site for construction of its second data centre in Melbourne. It said the initial investment in the project, dubbed M2, is $85 million.
Finally, in recent broker news:
Bell Potter analysts cut their Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd (ASX: VAH) price target 20% to $0.32;
Credit Suisse analysts lifted their Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) price target 20% to $16.05; and
Morgan Stanley analysts initiated Graincorp Ltd (ASX: GNC) shares as 'overweight' with a price target of $9.70, according to Dow Jones Newswires.
