The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to retreat another 15 points or so when the market opens this morning, following a mostly down night for international equity markets.
Here's a quick recap:
- FTSE 100 (UK): down 1.46%
- DAX (Germany): down 0.13%
- CAC 40 (France): down 0.46%
- Dow Jones (USA): down 0.28%
- NASDAQ (USA): down 0.63%
The US dollar fell again overnight, causing the Australian dollar to rise against the greenback, following comments from US President-elect Donald Trump.
Trump said the greenback's strength against the Chinese yuan is "killing us" ('us' being the United States), which caused it to retreat against a basket of currencies. The Australian dollar is now buying US75.63 cents.
Iron ore retreated 2.5% overnight, according to The Metal Bulletin, which could weigh on BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG).
Gold, on the other hand, surged almost 1% thanks to the falling US dollar. That could provide another boost for EVOLUTION FPO (ASX: EVN), Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST), amongst other gold miners.
Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) could receive some attention today. According to The Australian Financial Review, Credit Suisse has tipped a $1 billion equity raising by the toll road operator before 30 June.
Fellow infrastructure group, Sydney Airport Holdings Ltd (ASX: SYD), was also flagged by the AFR this morning with the Standard & Poor's credit ratings agency saying the company is "unlikely" to take up an option to develop a second airport in western Sydney.
