The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) appears set to continue its ascent this morning with the futures market pointing to a 19-point increase at the open. That follows another positive session for international equity markets overnight.
Here's a quick recap:
- FTSE 100 (UK): up 0.9%
- DAX (Germany): up 0.58%
- CAC 40 (France): up 0.39%
- Dow Jones (USA): up 0.68%
- NASDAQ (USA): up 0.32%
The Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) share price could remain in focus today after the shares soared more than 10% on Monday. The company's shares emerged from a temporary trading halt following a major acquisition.
The Galaxy Resources Limited (ASX: GXY) share price and a2 Milk Company Ltd (Australia) (ASX: A2M) share price could also fit into that camp after both rose strongly on Monday.
The Reserve Bank of Australia will sit today to determine the course of interest rates. The RBA is expected to keep the nation's cash rate on hold at 1.5%, but any surprises would likely cause high-yield dividend shares such as Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) to move.
Elsewhere, resources shares such as Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could be impacted by a 0.5% fall in the price of gold and a 1.5% decline in oil prices.
