The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to come under pressure again today in what could be its fifth decline in the last six sessions. International equity markets mostly finished lower overnight, and the Sydney Futures Exchange is pointing to a 0.3% decline for the local market when trading begins.
Here's a quick recap:
- FTSE 100 (UK): down 0.58%
- DAX (Germany): down 0.61%
- CAC 40 (France): down 0.43%
- Dow Jones (USA): down 0.29%
- NASDAQ (USA): down 0.19%
The resources sector could come under pressure again today as commodity prices slipped further overnight.
The London-listed shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) both fell 2.2% overnight, suggesting another tough day for the mining giants on Thursday.
Oil prices fell further as well, which could weigh on Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL), while the gold price is edging ever lower towards US$1,300 an ounce.
Indeed, shares of companies such as St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM), Silver Lake Resources Limited. (ASX: SLR) and EVOLUTION FPO (ASX: EVN) have been hit hard recently, and could be in for another tough session.
Meanwhile, Estia Health Ltd (ASX: EHE) shares have crashed 30% so far this week on the back of an earnings miss and a heavy sell-down in shares by its founder and non-executive director.
It's also worth keeping an eye on businesses like Harvey Norman Holdings Limited (ASX: HVN), Vita Group Limited (ASX: VTG) and Surfstitch Group Ltd (ASX: SRF) today. The trio soared in price during Wednesday's session, although the only one I'd consider taking a closer look at today would be Vita Group.
