The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to trade lower today following negative leads from international markets last week.
Here's a recap:
- Dow Jones (USA): down 0.32%
- NASDAQ (USA): down 0.62%
- FTSE 100 (UK): down 1.27%
- DAX (Germany): down 2.73%
- CAC 40 (France): down 2.82%
In London, the FTSE 100 ended the month lower following global market jitters and ahead of a busy week of news. FTSE-listed shares of Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) and BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) ended 1.06% and 1.27% lower, respectively.
US markets closed lower as sluggish inflation spooked investors and concerns over Apple Inc's exposure to China weighed on sentiment. The healthcare sector was the worst-performing, while the utilities sector gained the most ground.
Closer to home, the Sydney Futures Exchange is tipping a 6-point, or 0.1%, fall in the S&P/ASX 200.
Shares in focus today will include Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC) and Southern Cross Media Group Ltd (ASX: SXL). After the market's close on Friday, Nine Entertainment and Southern Cross Austereo announced a "landmark" agreement which will see Nine's metropolitan television content broadcast in regional parts of Queensland, southern New South Wales and Victoria on the Austereo network.
Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) will also be in focus after the big bank this morning announced a 5% rise in revenue and 3% increase in profit for its most recent half-year reporting period. The bank also held its dividend flat at 94 cents per share.
Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) said the proceeds from its sale of Autohome Inc shares will be used to fund a capital management program. Telstra CEO Andy Penn said the exact details of the $1.5 billion program aren't yet known but it is management's intention to boost shareholder returns.
Slater & Gordon Limited (ASX: SGH) revealed its lenders agreed to terms for its existing debt facility. The next batch of maturing debt ($480 million) will not occur until May 2018.
Finally, in broker news, analysts at Goldman Sachs raised their Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH) price target 3% to $112 a share, while Morgans analysts cut their Thorn Group Ltd (ASX: TGA) price target 28% to $1.74, according to Dow Jones Newswires.
