The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to trade lower today following negative leads from international markets overnight.
Here's a recap:
- Dow Jones (USA): down 0.15%
- NASDAQ (USA): down 0.21%
- FTSE 100 (UK): down 0.78%
- DAX (Germany): up 0.76%
- CAC 40 (France): down 0.52%
In London, declines in energy and resources shares helped tip the FTSE 100 lower. Shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) fell 5.8% and 3.94%, respectively.
On US markets, corporate earnings rolled on as the energy and resources sectors headed 1.09% and 1.7% lower, respectively.
Closer to home, the Sydney Futures Exchange is tipping a 25-point, or 0.4%, fall in the S&P/ASX 200.
Shares in focus will include AMP Limited (ASX: AMP). This morning, the financial services heavyweight announced that Chairman Simon McKeon AO will retire from his position due to a "change in circumstances".
iCar Asia Ltd (ASX: ICQ) delivered what it says is a "record quarter of cash collections". The technology company reported cash collections of $2.07 million, up 46%, during the period.
BlueScope Steel Limited (ASX: BSL) announced its intention to issue $US300 million aggregate principal in bonds to institutional buyers in the United States.
Austal Limited (ASX: ASB) announced a $US9.93 million modification to a previously awarded Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) contract which will see it provide procurement and engineering efforts for ships in future financial years.
Finally, in broker news, analysts at UBS upped their price target on EVOLUTION FPO (ASX: EVN) shares 19% to $1.98 and raised their price target on shares of Western Areas Ltd (ASX: WSA) 3.2% to $1.94, according to Dow Jones Newswires.
