Australian shares are set to open slightly higher this morning as stocks gained on Wall Street. Understandably investors are currently cautious due to uncertainty around the globe – such as the Brexit crisis in the UK, the US government shut down and the ongoing China US trade deal tensions. The Aussie dollar slipped. West Texas crude rose above $52 a barrel.
Economic NewsThe Australian Bureau of Statistics are set to release the Housing Finance figures for November.
MarketsWall Street closed up yesterday: The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.6 per cent to close at 24,207, the S&P 500 added 0.2 per cent to close at 2,616 and the NASDAQ gained 0.2 per cent to close at 7035.
European markets closed mixed: London’s FTSE lost 0.5 per cent, Paris gained 0.5 per cent and Frankfurt gained 0.4 per cent.
Asian markets closed mixed: Tokyo’s Nikkei lost 0.6 per cent, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.3 per cent, and China’s Shanghai Composite is flat.
The ASX futures are pointing to a 9 point gain. Yesterday the Australian share market closed 0.4 per cent higher or 21 points higher 5,835
Company newsSouth32
(ASX:S32) has made changes to their leadership team with Katie Tovich succeeding Brendan Harris as Chief Financial Officer from May this year. To ensure a smooth transition, Katie will immediately assume the role of Deputy Chief Financial Officer. Brendan will take over from Peter Finnimore as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) assuming responsibility for South32’s commodity marketing and supply functions. Shares in South32
(ASX:S32) closed 2.1 per cent lower at $3.33 yesterday.
Ex DividendCYBG
(ASX:CYB) paying 5.48 cents unfranked
CurrenciesOne Australian Dollar at 8:30AM was buying 71.73 US cents, 55.72 Pence Sterling, 78.3 Yen and 62.97 Euro cents.
Commodities Iron Ore has added 0.7 per cent to at US$74.31 Its futures are flat
Gold has gained $4.90 to US$1293 an ounce.
Silver is flat at US$15.62 an ounce.
Oil has gained $0.39 to US$52.62 a barrel.
