The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) is expected to open slightly lower this morning following a mixed night for international equity markets.
Here's a quick recap:
- FTSE 100 (UK): up 0.35%
- DAX (Germany): down 0.35%
- CAC 40 (France): down 0.1%
- Dow Jones (USA): down 0.04%
- NASDAQ (USA): up 0.03%
Wellard Ltd (ASX: WLD) will likely come under some pressure today. The group announced this morning that it expects its trading losses for the second half to be 'significantly higher' than the $16 million loss reported during the first half.
Cimic Group Ltd (ASX: CIM), on the other hand, announced a solid performance for the six months ended 30 June 2017, including a significant increase in net profit and cash flows. Revenue grew 28% year-on-year while its net profit of $323 million was up 22% year-on-year.
Conditions could be mixed in the resources space. On the one hand, gold and iron ore rose 0.5% and 1.6% respectively, which could help to support shares such as Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST).
But oil prices were down 1%, which could also drag on energy producers such as BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO).
Finally, Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) reported its second-quarter production results. Pilbara iron ore shipments and production were both higher than the prior quarter, but down 6% and 1% respectively from the year-ago period.
Before getting started on your day, be sure to check out these two articles:
