The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to open slightly lower when trading begins at 10:00am AEDT this morning, following the lead set by Wall Street overnight. That said, it could receive a boost from the earnings reported by some of Australia's biggest businesses.
- FTSE 100 (UK): down 0.48%
- DAX (Germany): up 0.28%
- CAC 40 (France): up 0.32%
- Dow Jones (USA): down 0.35%
- NASDAQ (USA): down 0.81%
Woolworths Limited (ASX: WOW) is the biggest company to have reported its earnings today. It said that comparable sales had improved in the final quarter but revenue from continuing operations was still 1.2% lower for the year.
It follows the earnings results reported by Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) on Wednesday, which saw the shares fall more than 2% for the day. Woolworths also announced the sale of its Home Timber and Hardware business to Metcash Limited (ASX: MTS) on Wednesday, with both stocks in a trading halt at the time of writing.
Meanwhile, Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) reported a record total transaction value (TTV) for the 2016 fiscal year, with revenue also increasing 11.2% to $2.7 billion. Underlying net profit, however, fell 3.8%.
Other companies that have reported include South32 Ltd (ASX: S32), iCar Asia Ltd (ASX: ICQ) and Costa Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: CGC).
ERM Power Ltd (ASX: EPW), RCG Corporation Ltd (ASX: RCG), 3P Learning Ltd (ASX: 3PL), Shaver Shop Group Ltd (ASX: SSG) and Mortgage Choice Limited (ASX: MOC) have reported their results, as well.
Elsewhere in the market, energy shares could take a hit after Brent oil prices fell a little over 2% overnight. That could weigh on businesses such as BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO).
Gold miners will also be in focus after the gold price slipped 1% overnight. Shares of businesses such as Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) and St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) could take a hit as a result.
