The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) looks set to recover some of yesterday's losses today with the futures market pointing to a 13-point rise at the opening bell.
Here's a quick recap:
- FTSE 100 (UK): down 0.25%
- DAX (Germany): up 0.75%
- CAC 40 (France): up 0.29%
- Dow Jones (USA): up 0.25%
- NASDAQ (USA): up 0.28%
A mostly positive night for commodity prices could provide a boost for shares across the industry.
Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) shares and BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) shares could benefit after the iron ore price rose 0.7%, according to The Metal Bulletin. The latter could also benefit after oil prices jumped more than 1%.
The gold price, on the other hand, slipped 0.4%, which could weigh on shares such as Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM).
The banks could also receive some attention today after sliding on Wednesday. The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) share price, for instance, dropped 1.2% and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) fell 1.1%. According to a report by The Australian Financial Review, Citi analysts believe the banks' share prices have "little hope of rising".
The Galaxy Resources Limited (ASX: GXY) share price could receive more attention today as well after it lifted 7.4%. Platinum Asset Management Limited (ASX: PTM), on the other hand, slipped 4.3%, which could keep it in the spotlight today.