The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to reverse some of Wednesday's gains today with the futures market pointing to an 8-point decline at the opening bell. Investors will hope the main bourse can remain above 5,600 for the day.
Here's a quick recap:
- FTSE 100 (UK): down 0.04%
- DAX (Germany): up 0.03%
- CAC 40 (France): down 0.33%
- Dow Jones (USA): down 0.16%
- NASDAQ (USA): down 0.23%
Caltex Australia Limited (ASX: CTX) announced this morning that it has entered an agreement to purchase Gull New Zealand for around $325 million. The acquired business has 77 retail sites in total, including 55 controlled retail sites.
Technology business Bulletproof Group Ltd (ASX: BPF) reaffirmed its underlying profit guidance, saying it is on track to deliver a strong improvement in bottom line performance during the second half of the year.
Sydney Airport Holdings Ltd (ASX: SYD) was one of the big stories on Wednesday. Its shares lost as much as 7.2% during the session and could thus receive some more attention today.
Touchcorp Ltd (ASX: TCH) will be back in focus again today as well. Its shares lost more than a third of their value on Wednesday as a result of a profit downgrade.
Infant formula producers a2 Milk Company Ltd (Australia) (ASX: A2M) and Bega Cheese Ltd (ASX: BGA) could find some more support after releasing reassuring statements supporting their recent trading performances yesterday.
And finally, legal eagles Slater & Gordon Limited (ASX: SGH) and Shine Corporate Ltd (ASX: SHJ) could come under more pressure after yesterday's losses. Slater & Gordon admitted it was being investigated by ASIC for potentially falsifying accounts in recent years.
