The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) is set to open slightly lower on Monday despite modest gains from global markets on Friday.
Here's a quick recap:
- FTSE 100 (UK): up 0.12%
- DAX (Germany): up 0.1%
- CAC 40 (France): up 0.32%
- Dow Jones (USA): down 0.1%
- NASDAQ (USA): flat
In Europe, markets ended higher. London's FTSE 100 set a record high, ending at 7,424 points. FTSE-listed shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) ended 0.6% and 0.01% higher, respectively.
In the US, markets ended mostly flat on Friday. However, they finished the week higher, for the seventh time in a row.
Closer to home, the Australian market or S&P/ASX 200 is expected to open slightly lower.
Shares in focus will include SEEK Limited (ASX: SEK). This morning, the online jobs marketplace increased its stake in its online education service, from 50% to 80%. The deal with Swinburne University of Technology will cost Seek $118 million.
Meanwhile, health technology business Pro Medicus Limited (ASX: PME) announced a record implementation of its Visage 7 program at Mercy, the fifth largest Catholic health system in the US.
Fletcher Building Limited (Australia) (ASX: FBU) announced a profit guidance downgrade for its 2017 financial year. A larger-than-expected loss on a major construction project led the company to lower its operating profit guidance from between $720 million and $760 million to between $610 million and $650 million.
Sydney Airport Holdings Ltd (ASX: SYD) announced a 4.2% increase in international passengers for the month of February, with domestic passenger traffic falling 2.5% year over year.
Finally, Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd (ASX: LNG) revealed that a TERMPOL review of its Bear Head LNG project in Canada has been completed. The company said it is an important regulatory approval, allowing it to unlock its LNG opportunity.
