The Australian share market is poised to open slightly higher this morning following mixed leads out of the US where the Federal Reserve is reportedly leaning towards fresh economic stimulus efforts.
Figures
Wall Street closed mixed yesterday: The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 31 points to close at 13,173, the S&P500 added 0.32 points to close at 1,413 and the Nasdaq is up by 6, closing at 3,074.
European markets meanwhile closed lower: London’s FTSE lost 83 points, Paris shed 52 points and Frankfurt lost 72 points.
Asian markets also closed down: Hong Kong’s Hang Seng lost 212 points, Tokyo’s Nikkei down by 25 and China’s Shanghai Composite dropped 11 points.
The Australian share market closed lower yesterday: The S&P/ASX 200 Index closed 7 points down to finish at 4,376. On the futures market the SPI is 9 points up.
Currencies
The Australian Dollar at 7:15AM was buying $US1.051 cents, 66.17 Pence Sterling, 82.60 Yen and 83.87 Euro cents.
Company news
Coca-Cola Amatil Limited (ASX:CCL) has lifted its half year net profit to $247.2 million, a 61 per cent rise from last year. CEO Terry Davis says that momentum has slowed due to weak consumer spending, however improved price realisation and market share gains have contributed to continued growth. The soft drink maker has declared an interim dividend of 24 cents, fully franked. Shares in Coca Cola closed 0.43 per cent up yesterday at $13.92
Super Retail Group Limited (ASX:SUL) has lifted its full year net profit by 50 per cent to $83.5 million. The auto and leisure retailer attributes the result to a strategy of developing existing businesses alongside the acquisition of likeminded market leading retailers. CEO Peter Birtles is confident of maintaining sales growth regardless of subdued retail conditions. Super Retail Group has declared a fully franked final dividend of 19 cents per share, bringing the full year shareholder payout to 32 cents. Shares in Super Retail Group closed 2.44 per cent lower yesterday at $8.00.
Ex-dividends
Adelaide Brighton Limited (ASX:ABC) with a fully franked dividend of 7.5 cents
Australian Masters Corporate Bond Fund No.4 Limited (ASX:AKX) with a fully franked dividend of 34 cents
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited (ASX:BEN) with a fully franked dividend of 30 cents
HFA Holdings Limited (ASX:HFA) with a fully franked dividend of $2.86
IMF Limited (ASX:IMF) with a fully franked dividend of 10 cents
Mincor Resources NL (ASX:MCR) with a fully franked dividend of 2 cents
Commodities
Gold is up $16.40 to $US1,656.90 an ounce for the December contract on Comex.
Silver is up $0.22 to $29.78 for September.
Copper is up $0.02 at $3.47 a pound.
Oil is up $0.42 at US$97.26 a barrel for October light crude in New York.
