Australian market preview: Retail stocks are expected to be in the spotlight when Australian equity markets reopen on Wednesday as investors assess how much shoppers spent during the Christmas sales period.
The Australian stock market is due to resume trading on Wednesday after the four-day Christmas break, with a mixed lead from offshore.
US stocks were higher in late afternoon trade on Tuesday.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 25.73 points to 12319.73 in New York, while the Standard & Poor's 500 index added 2.96 points to 1268.29.
The NASDAQ Composite index rose 13.72 points at 2632.54.
Stocks to watch on Wednesday:
BBG - BILLABONG INTERNATIONAL LTD - down $1.84, or 50.6 per cent, at $1.80
Retail shares have taken a pounding as a profit warning from surfwear giant Billabong International raised fears that what was already expected to be a difficult Christmas could prove even worse.
BEN - BENDIGO AND ADELAIDE BANK LTD - down 70 cents, or 7.8 per cent, at $8.30
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank increased its capital raising venture to $150 million due to strong demand from institutional investors.
DLX - DULUXGROUP LTD - down five cents, or 1.7 per cent, at $2.94
DuluxGroup says a resilient home renovation market and improved performances from its trade businesses will drive net profit higher in 2012.
