Outlook: BHP back in court

Market Reports

Following a sea-saw Wall Street session, caused by EuroZone contagion fears, the Australian share market looks set to open lower this morning.

Figures 
 
The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished just 4 points in front at 14,456, the S&P500 lost 6 points to close at 1,548 and the Nasdaq lost 9 points to close at 3,229

European markets closed lower: London’s FTSE lost 17 points, Paris lost 50 points and Frankfurt lost 63 points.

Asian markets closed mixed: Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 42, Tokyo’s Nikkei added 248 and China’s Shanghai Composite added 17 points.
 
At the closing bell the S&P/ASX 200 index closed 28 points down to finish at 4,987 yesterday. On the futures market the SPI is down 25 points.

Currencies 

The Australian Dollar at 7.15 AM was buying $US1.036 cents, 68.68 Pence Sterling, 98.56 Yen and 80.42 Euro cents.
 

Company news

BHP Billiton (ASX:BHP) looks set to return to court in the United states, after two new damages claims, seeking tens of millions of dollars, emerged. BHP has previously been taken to court by plaintiffs raising concerns about the impact of fracking activities, of BHP subsidiary Chesapeake Energy.  Shares in BHP closed 0.4 per cent weaker at $34.55.

Woolworths (ASX:WOW)  is reportedly seeking a bold new solution to its perceived anti-competitive practices.  The supermarket giant is understood to be considering buying its milk direct from the farm gate, and bypassing milk processors for the very first time. Such a move would allow Woolworths to on sell the product under an entirely new brand. Shares in Woolworths  closed 2.59 per cent weakerat $33.85.
 
 
Ex-dividends

A handful of companies are going ex-dividend today, including Ainsworth Game Technology Limited (ASX:AGI)

Commodities

Gold is up $6.70 to $US1,611 an ounce for the April contract on Comex.
Silver is down $0.03 to $28.84 for May.
Copper is down $0.02 at $3.41 a pound.
Oil is down $1.58 at US$92.16 a barrel for April light crude in New York. 
 

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