The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AJXO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to trade lower today following soft leads from international markets overnight.
Here's a recap:
- Dow Jones (USA): down 0.25%
- NASDAQ (USA): down 1.03%
- FTSE 100 (UK): down 0.97%
- DAX (Germany): up 0.92%
In London, mining and energy shares failed to buoy markets for a sixth consecutive day. FTSE-listed shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) fell 0.4% and 3.4%, respectively.
In the US, modest gains in industrials weren't enough to offset falls in the technology space, bringing an end to a three-day hot streak for the Dow Jones.
Closer to home, the Sydney Futures Exchange is tipping a 24-point, or 0.4%, fall in the S&P/ASX 200.
Shares in focus will include Auckland International Airport Ltd (ASX: AIA), which today reported a 25% increase in half-year profit with revenue growth of 11.6%.
Chorus Ltd (ASX: CNU) reported a 9.1% fall in revenue and 48.4% drop in profit for the six-month period ended 31 December 2015. James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX) reported sales growth of 4% and an 18% fall in profit for the nine-month period to 31 December 2015.
Amaysim Australia Ltd (ASX: AYS) delivered a 96% fall in profit despite an 18% increase in revenue for its most recent half-year. Automotive Group Holdings Ltd's (ASX: AHG) six-month profit increased 7% to $48 million.
DUET Group (AX: DUE) reported a 31% rise in revenue, while Mantra Group Ltd (ASX: MTR) saw a 22% jump in revenue and 11% increase in half-year profit.
Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) revenue rose 2.5%, but profit surged 58.3% higher for the half-year through December. Fairfax Media Limited (ASX: FXJ) reported a 1.6% rise in revenue and 4.2% jump in profit for its half-year to 31 December 2015.
Finally, Cover-More Group Ltd (ASX: CVO) reported a 7.9% fall in revenue and 31% fall in profit.
In broker news, analysts at Deutsche Bank cut their price target on FlexiGroup Limited (ASX: FXL) shares 7% to $3.30, while Bell Potter analysts cut their Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) share price target 19% to $24.75.
