The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) mightn't get its chance to reach 5,700 points today. ASX futures are down 16 points, suggesting its highest point for 2016 might be yesterday's 5,699-point achievement.
As a reminder, trading will likely be fairly light today with many investors still enjoying their end-of-year holidays. As it is the final session for the 2016 calendar year, normal trading will also cease early, at 2:10pm Sydney time.
Here's a quick recap:
- FTSE 100 (UK): up 0.2%
- DAX (Germany): down 0.21%
- CAC 40 (France): down 0.2%
- Dow Jones (USA): down 0.07%
- NASDAQ (USA): down 0.12%
Shares such as EVOLUTION FPO (ASX: EVN), Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) and Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) could get another boost today after the spot gold price lifted above US$1,150 an ounce overnight.
Other shares in the resources sector, including BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP), however, could suffer after iron ore and oil prices both dipped.
Fellow blue-chip stock Woolworths Limited (ASX: WOW) could remain in the spotlight with its shares rising steadily since it announced it would sell its Fuel business to BP.
Australia's listed REITs could be back in focus today after a bad session on Thursday. BWP Trust (ASX: BWP) fell 2.6% for the day with others such as Charter Hall Retail REIT (ASX: CQR) and Cromwell Group (ASX: CMW) down as well.
Finally, Downer EDI Limited (ASX: DOW) announced this morning that it had been awarded a new contract for the Clare Solar Farm, valued at $190 million.
