Apple has $207b in cash on hand as it closes one China store: ASX poised to open higher
Following positive leads from US markets, the Australian share market looks set to open higher this morning. Investors fears have been placated somewhat by China’s actions to control the coronavirus. US health officials are fast-tracking work on a vaccine, hoping to start an early-stage trial within the next three months. Meanwhile, Apple CEO Tim Cook says the company is restricting travel in China as the virus continues to spread. Yesterday, Apple reported revenue and profit significantly higher than analysts expectations – the stock spiked over 3 per cent. On the commodities front, oil has risen and gold has lost.
Local economic news
Consumer Price Index for December 2019.
Markets
Wall Street closed up yesterday: The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.7 per cent to close at 28,723, the S&P 500 added 1 per cent to close at 3,276 and the NASDAQ rose 1.4 per cent to close at 9,270.
European markets closed higher: London’s FTSE gained 0.9 per cent, Paris closed 1.1 per cent higher and Frankfurt added 0.9 per cent.
Asian markets: Tokyo’s Nikkei lost 0.6 per cent, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng and China’s Shanghai Composite are still closed for the Lunar New Year.
Taking all of this into equation, the ASX futures are pointing to a 38 points rise. Yesterdaythe Australian share market closed higher/lower with the S&P/ASX 200 Index closing 96 points lower at 6,994.
Company news
Centuria Capital Group (ASX:CNI) is to make a takeover offer to acquire one of New Zealand’s largest listed real estate funds management platforms, Augusta Capital. They expect to pay $174 million. If successful, Centuria AUM will increase by $1.9 billion to $9.2 billion representing a 26 per cent increase. Augusta shareholders will be offered NZ$2.00 per share in either cash or Centuria scrip via a “Mix and Match” facility. Centuria to fund the transaction from existing cash reserves, scrip and the net proceeds of a $60 million equity raising at A$2.34 per Centuria security. FY20 EPS guidance of 12.5 cents per security. Shares in Centuria Capital Group (ASX:CNI) closed flat yesterday at $2.41.
Ex-dividends
One company is going ex-dividend today: Djerriwarh (ASX:DJW) is paying 8.75 cents fully franked.
Currencies
One Australian Dollar at 9:00AM was buying 67.65 US cents, 51.96 Pence Sterling, 73.82 Yen and 61.36 Euro cents.
Commodities
Gold has lost $11.70 to US$1,572 an ounce.
Silver has lost $0.61 to US$17.45 an ounce.
Oil has risen by $0.84 to US$53.98 a barrel.
Copyright 2020 – Finance News Network
Source: Finance News Network
