Despite a receiving a strong lead from overseas markets overnight, the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX:XJO) has struggled to hold onto its early gains today and is currently trading 0.06% lower at 5,247 points.
The big four banks in particular have struggled today and this has offset the positive gains being generated from the materials and energy sectors.
Four shares that have received extra attention from sellers today, include:
Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)
Commonwealth Bank shares have lost more than 1.3% today after the banking giant released a fairly uninspiring September quarterly update. The bank continues to suffer from falling net interest margins and also reported flat cash earnings compared to the same time last year. Based on this update, investors shouldn't expect much in the way of a dividend increase anytime soon.
Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)
Shares of Macquarie have fallen 2.8% today as a result of it trading ex-dividend. The board declared a 45% franked interim dividend of $1.90 per share, up 18.8% from the $1.60 per share dividend paid this time last year. Unlike the big four banks, the medium term outlook for Macquarie is far more positive and I wouldn't be surprised to see further increases in the dividend over the medium term.
DuluxGroup Limited (ASX: DLX)
Shares of Dulux have fallen 1.2% today after the paint company announced a 4.6% increase in FY16 underlying profits. Although the result was broadly in line with market expectations, the company did note that it faced challenging trading conditions as a result of the Masters liquidation sale and closure. Dulux did not provide any specific earnings guidance for the year ahead, but is expecting to deliver profits ahead of today's result.
Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST)
Shares of Northern Star have fallen more than 2.1% today as investors continue to reduce their exposure to the gold sector in anticipation of a Clinton win tomorrow. Gold shares had been flying high on the prospect of a Trump win, but it appears investors are now backing Clinton after the FBI cleared her of any wrongdoing. Nevertheless, the result is far from certain and I wouldn't be surprised to see another nervous day of trading tomorrow.
