S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) (ASX:XJO) rallied from its low around 1.00pm to finish up for the day.
4.11pm: ASX 200 closes up 0.2%
The ASX 200 has closed up 10.7 points or 0.2% to 5,954.4.
The biggest large-cap contributors to gains today were Flight Centre (ASX:FLT) up 10.3%, a2 Milk (ASX:A2M) up 7.0%, Qantas (ASX:QAN) up 5.8% and Crown (ASX:CWN) up 4.4%.
12.31pm: ASX 200 down 0.2%
The ASX 200 is down 9.3 points or 0.2% to 5,934.4.
[VIDEO] Mid-Session 22 Feb 18: The ASX 200 is flat at lunch after being up by as much as 30 points in early trade after a volatile session on Wall St which saw the Dow close 166pts lower having been ahead as much as 303 points https://t.co/dd6ABJx9gN #ausbiz
— CommSec (@CommSec) February 22, 2018
The most underperforming sector by some margin today is Utilities, down 2.3%, which is being dragged down by AGL Energy Ltd (ASX:AGL), down 4.3% as it trades ex-dividend.
The CBOE Volatility Index futures are back above 19 for the first time in a week, which could be creating some unease.
10.21am: ASX 200 up 0.3%
The ASX 200 is up 18 points or 0.3% to 5,961.
All of the companies reporting noted below are trading positively except BAL which is down 7.7%.
The biggest gainers of the below companies reporting are FLT, up 12%, and WEB up 16%.
Pre-market wrap: S&P/ASX 200 set for uncertain open as volatility rears its head again
The Dow Jones Industrial Index (INDEXDJX:DJI) finished lower on Wednesday (last night), down 0.67% or 167 points to 24,797.
The Dow was up nearly 300 points at 2.25pm EST but gave it all back and more going into the close.
VIDEO: US Close 22 Feb 18: Strong selldown at the close on rate fears. https://t.co/Ex9RpoAjUI#ausbiz
— CommSec (@CommSec) February 21, 2018
The AUDUSD is off 0.98% to 0.7806.
Gold continues to give back recent gains, down US$5.00 to US$1,326.20 and WTI Crude Oil is trading at US$61.11 per barrel.
BAL, FLT, QAN, RFG, ORE, OZL and WEB report today
Companies of note reporting results today include:
• Bellamy's Australia Ltd (ASX:BAL);
• Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX:FLT);
• Qantas Airways Limited (ASX:QAN);
• Retail Food Group Limited (ASX:RFG);
• Orocobre Limited (ASX:ORE);
• OZ Minerals Limited (ASX:OZL); and
• Webjet Limited (ASX:WEB).
Upcoming economic data: Just US data tonight
The focus on economic data will start after-market Australia time when Federal Reserve Governor Randal Quarles is due to deliver a speech in Japan at 4.15pm AEST.
The speech is titled "10 years after the Global Financial Crisis: How has the world economy changed and where will it go?" and will be presented at the International Financial Symposium, in Tokyo.
US unemployment claims (estimate: 230,000) and crude oil inventories data will be released late tonight that have potential to affect markets.