The Aussie market is poised to open higher later this morning, following better-than-expected earnings from US companies Goldman Sachs and Johnson & Johnson pushed the S&P briefly over 2,100, within 30 points of its record high.

The SPI futures contract is up 31 points, at 5212.

In local economic news on today, the Westpac-Melbourne Institute Leading Index of Economic Activity is due out, as is the Commonwealth Bank business sales indicator.

In equities news, BHP Billiton is slated to release its third quarter operational review, while Woodside Petroleum is expected to give a first quarter production report.

Key numbers:

• SPI futures up 31ts or 0.6% to 5212 at 8.16am Sydney time
• AUD at 78.18 US cents, 85.33 Japanese yen, 68.80 Euro cents and 54.30 British pence
• On Wall St, Dow +0.3%, S&P 500 +0.3%, Nasdaq -0.4%
• In Europe, Stoxx 50 +1.6%, FTSE +0.8%, CAC +1.3%, DAX +2.3%
• In London, BHP +5.3%, Rio +2.8%
• Spot gold +1.6% to $US1252.62 at 2.37pm New York time
• Brent crude +2.3% to $US43.90 at 2.11pm New York time
• Iron ore +4.1% to $US62.85

What’s on today

Local data: WBC March leading index at 10.30am, Skilled vacancies at 11am

BHP operational review for nine months ended March 31 at 8.30am

Vale releases 1st Qtr iron ore and nickel output

US President Barack Obama visit Saudi Arabia to meet with heads of state of Gulf Cooperation Council.

Overseas data: China leading economic index; Japan March trade; UK unemployment Feb/March; US existing home sales March.

Overseas earnings: Abbot, Coca-Cola, US Bancorp, Kinder Morgan, Amex, Newcrest Mining, Qualcomm, Yum Brands, ABB

Stocks in focus

BHP operational review for nine months ended March 31 at 8.30am

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