The local sharemarket is expected to open lower following weak leads from US markets overnight.
Here's a recap:
- Dow Jones (USA) – down 1.43%
- NASDAQ (USA) – down 1.35 %
- FTSE 100 (UK) – up 0.68%
- DAX (Germany) – up 2.57%
- EURO STOXX 50 (Europe) – up 1.84%
The US market was unable to continue yesterday's optimism, following the Federal Reserve's first interest rate increase in nine years, and instead fell as a result of continuing falls in commodity prices. Oil, gold and iron ore prices fell overnight.
In Europe, markets had their chance to benefit from the Fed's decision with German stocks performing particularly well. FTSE-listed shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) closed 1.2% higher and 2.13% lower, respectively.
Closer to home, the Sydney Futures Exchange (SFE) is tipping the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) to open 42 points, or 0.8%, lower.
Following the Annual General Meetings of two of their closest rivals and stellar share price rises yesterday, shares of Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) will be in focus today.
So too will shares of Sydney Airport Holdings Ltd (ASX: SYD), the infrastructure business released its monthly traffic performance report for November, revealing a 5.6% jump in international visitors and a 4.2% rise in domestic travellers year-over-year.
The A2 MILK FPO NZ (ASX: A2M) share price may also be set for a rerating today after the company announced a profit guidance upgrade for its 2016 financial year. A2 Milk Limited said the favourable trading performance of its a2 Platinum infant formula products said made forecasting more difficult, but it expects to report operating earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of between $33 million and $37 million for the full year.
Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) announced the completion of its Capital Notes 2 (MCN2) offer today, with Australia's largest investment bank raising $531 million. Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) completed the retail component of its $1.025 billion capital raising to fund the AirportLinkM7 acquisition, raising $288 million.
Finally, shares of Slater & Gordon Limited (ASX: SGH) will also be in focus this morning. The law firm has taken shareholders on a tumultuous ride in 2015 with its share price peaking at $7.85 in April before plunging to just 89 cents today.
