The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) looks set to follow its international counterparts higher when trading opens this morning, with the futures market pointing to a 24-point lift.
Here's a quick recap:
- FTSE 100 (UK): up 0.67%
- DAX (Germany): up 0.2%
- CAC 40 (France): up 0.65%
- Dow Jones (USA): up 0.94%
- NASDAQ (USA): up 0.54%
National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) released its first-quarter trading update to the market this morning, revealing cash earnings of $1.6 billion, which was 1% lower than the prior corresponding period.
NAB's rivals, being Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ), could also come under the microscope depending on how the market responds.
Argo Investments Limited (ASX: ARG), which last closed at $7.66 per share, could also come under the microscope after it released its own half-year results. It revealed a 3.8% decline in revenue and an even larger 8.9% decline in profit.
Meanwhile, Capilano Honey Ltd (ASX: CZZ) may receive more attention after it released its half-year results on Friday. The shares sank as much as 9.1% after the results were released but ended the session just 1.5% lower.
Finally, gold shares such as EVOLUTION FPO (ASX: EVN) will be on the agenda again after the gold price topped US$1,220 an ounce. Iron ore, on the other hand, fell 1.4% according to The Metal Bulletin while oil prices edged higher.
Before getting started on your day, it may also be worth checking out these two articles:
