The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to trade lower today following negative leads from international markets.
Here's a recap:
- FTSE 100 (UK): down 1.10%
- DAX (Germany): down 1.25%
- CAC 40 (France): down 0.97%
- Dow Jones (USA): down 0.11%
- NASDAQ (USA): down 0.32%
In London, the FTSE 100 fell into negative territory following the release of poor housing data and a 1% decline in oil prices. FTSE-listed shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) fell 3.1% and 1.6%, respectively.
US markets fared a little better than their European counterparts but still ended in the red. The pullback in oil prices, together with a decline in bond yields, weighed on sentiment. The materials and financial sectors were the worst-performing.
Closer to home, the Sydney Futures Exchange is tipping a 27-point, or 0.5%, fall in the S&P/ASX 200.
Shares in focus will include Shopping Cntrs Austrls Prprty Gp Re Ltd (ASX: SCP). This morning, the property group announced the sale of their New Zealand portfolio to an entity established by Stride Property Ltd. The sale price is NZ$257.4 million.
AIR N.Z. FPO NZ (ASX: AIZ) announced it will sell a 19.98% stake in Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd (ASX: VAH) to Nanshan Group, a large privately-owned Chinese conglomerate.
Also hitting the ASX boards today, S&P Dow Jones Indices released their June 2016 quarterly rebalance. Notably, vitamins company Blackmores Limited (ASX: BKL) was admitted into the S&P/ASX 200 to take the place of Spotless Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: SPO).
Finally, in broker news:
