Despite weak leads from US markets, the Australian share market looks set to open higher, with the futures index continuing to sit positive.
Stocks dropped and the technology sector took a hit with the Nasdaq falling to its biggest low in five weeks and the Dow also slipping. US-North Korean tensions heighten after Trump’s latest comments on the rogue state, bumping the dollar and commodities up.
Facebook had its worst trading day of the year and Apple shares have continued to fall. Amazon and Netflix stocks also declined.
Commodities overall have gained. Brent oil spiked to an all time high and US crude oil also jumped significantly to reach the highest point since April. Gold climbed more than 1.2 per cent.
Local economic newsOur weekly consumer confidence data will be released today.
FiguresWall Street closed lower yesterday: The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.2 per cent to close at 22,296, the S&P 500 lost 0.2 per cent to close at 2,497 and the NASDAQ slipped 0.9 per cent to close a 6,371.
European markets closed mixed: London’s FTSE down 0.1 per cent, Paris lost 0.3 per cent and Frankfurt sat flat 0.02 per cent.
Asian markets closed mixed: Tokyo’s Nikkei added 0.5 per cent, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is down 1.4 per cent, and China’s Shanghai Composite dropped 0.3 per cent.
The Australian share market closed flat yesterday: The S&P/ASX 200 Index closed flat up 2 points to finish at 5,684.
On the futures market the SPI is 14 points up.
Company newsEclipx Group
(ASX:ECX) announced it is entering a strategic partnership with Medical Indemnity Protection Society. The partnership will provide innovative financing solutions for the society’s 51,000 members including doctors, dentists and scientists. The partnership includes a financing program delivering products to its members. The group, known for its fleet, car and equipment rentals, will arrange a $44.4 million funding facility as part of the binding agreement. Shares in Eclipx Group
(ASX:ECX) are last traded almost 1 per cent down finishing at $4.01.
Ex-dividends4 companies are going ex-dividend today. Blackwall Property Trust
(ASX:BWR) is paying 6.5 cents unfranked and Sirtex Medical
(ASX:SRX) is paying 30 cents unfranked.
CurrenciesOne Australian Dollar at 7:30AM was buying 79.36 US cents, 58.95 Pence Sterling, 88.69 Yen and 66.99 Euro cents.
Commodities Gold has gained $17 to $US1,314 an ounce.
Silver has gained $0.24 to $US17.22 an ounce.
Oil has gained $1.47 to $US52.13 a barrel.
