The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO)(ASX: XJO) is expected to open higher Friday morning.
Here's a quick recap of global markets:
- FTSE 100 (UK): down 0.7%
- DAX (Germany): down 0.9%
- Dow Jones (USA): down 0.1%
- NASDAQ (USA): down 0.5%
In London, retailers weighed on the market as the British pound fell modestly against the US dollar. FTSE-listed shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) fell 1.7% while shares of Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) ended 1.3% lower.
Across the pond, US markets were weighed down by the technology sector and banks. Earlier this week, the USA's Federal Reserve made a decision to raise interest rates and set out a plan to begin repaying its enormous pile of debt.
Closer to home, the ASX 200 is expected to open slightly higher.
Shares in focus will include a2 Milk Company Ltd (Australia) (ASX: A2M), which released another profit guidance upgrade. The dairy and infant formula business reported strong growth from its a2 Platinum infant formula, enabling the company to forecast revenue of $545 million for its 2017 financial year.
Health technology business Nanosonics Ltd. (ASX: NAN) announced a global expansion into Japan after striking an agreement with Sakura Seiki Co. Ltd.
Real estate trust Propertylink Group (ASX: PLG) upgraded its FY17 distributable earnings guidance to between 7.3 and 7.4 cents per security following the sale of 10-12 Pike Street Rydalmere.
BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) announced Ken MacKenzie would become its next Chairman in September, replacing the outgoing Jac Nasser.
Finally, Macquarie analysts raised their ALS Ltd (ASX: ALQ) price target 10% to $7.28, according to Dow Jones Newswires.
