The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) appears set to rebound today following yesterday's 53-point decline. The futures market is pointing to a 19-point rise at the open.
Here's a quick recap:
- FTSE 100 (UK): down 0.11%
- DAX (Germany): up 0.25%
- CAC 40 (France): up 0.49%
- Dow Jones (USA): down 0.24%
- NASDAQ (USA): down 0.52%
The Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) share price will be on the agenda today after the company unveiled a new US$2.5 billion share buy-back programme as it looks to return the proceeds of the sale of Coal & Allied to its shareholders. It will spend about AU$700 million in an off-market buy-back tender and another US$1.9 billion in on-market purchases.
BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) could also receive some attention after the iron ore price dropped 5.1% to US$66.09 a tonne, according to The Metal Bulletin.
And gold miners such as Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) and Resolute Mining Limited (ASX: RSG) could receive some attention after both featured in the ASX 200's worst-performing shares on Thursday, slipping more than 5% each. Gold prices fell another 0.8% overnight and are now fetching around US$1,290 an ounce.
Elsewhere, the Inghams Group Ltd (ASX: ING) share price could also be in focus after the shares hit a new all-time high on Thursday, rising to $3.87. The shares have risen just over 20% year-to-date.
And G8 Education Ltd (ASX: GEM) rose 4.5% on Thursday, which could put it back in focus again today as well.
