The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to open slightly higher this morning, with the futures market pointing to a mere 3-point gain at the opening bell.
Here's a quick recap:
- FTSE 100 (UK): up 0.2%
- DAX (Germany): up 0.34%
- CAC 40 (France): down 0.49%
- Dow Jones (USA): up 0.19%
- NASDAQ (USA): up 0.19%
Commodity prices drifted lower again overnight, with iron ore and oil prices both falling nearly 2%. Gold remains around the US$1,230 per ounce mark while the Australian dollar is fetching US76.24 cents.
Carsales.Com Ltd (ASX: CAR) has delivered its half-year earnings report, reporting a 7% lift in revenue but an 8% decline in net profit.
REIT BWP Trust (ASX: BWP) also reported its results. Revenue rose 1% for the six months to December 2016 while its profits before gains on investment properties was 4% higher for the period.
Cimic Group Ltd (ASX: CIM), whose share price rose 3.3% on Tuesday, also reported a net profit of $580.3 million for the full-year, which represented an 11.5% gain that was at the top end of guidance provided by management.
Mining giant Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) is also expected to report its results after the market closes this afternoon.
Meanwhile, Ardent Leisure Group (ASX: AAD) showed how the Dreamworld tragedy had impacted attendance at its theme parks. In a note to investors, the entertainment business said that the Theme Parks division recorded revenue of just under $7 million during January, down more than 50% on the prior corresponding period.
Other shares that will likely be in focus today include Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) and Mobile Embrace Ltd (ASX: MBE). Shares of Transurban soared on Tuesday following an encouraging earnings update while Mobile Embrace lost almost half their value following its own business update.
Before getting started on your day, be sure to check out these two articles:
