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In overseas markets, the Bank of England and the US Fed kept monetary policy unchanged. European stocks closed higher, with the STOXX 600 index closing 0.9% higher. And all three major US indices closed in the green.

Following the broad gains in European and US markets, the SPI futures are suggesting the ASX200 will open 0.11% higher.

What to watch today:

• Companies going ex-dividend today include Atlas Arteria (ASX:ALX), Bank South Pacific (ASX:BFL) and Sigma Healthcare (ASX:SIG).
• The most traded stocks yesterday by both Bell Direct and our advised clients. They were BHP (ASX:BHP) and Fortescue Metals (ASX:FMG), after the iron ore price rebounded. The aftermath of Chinese developer Evergrande securing a deal to avoid default caused a spike in iron ore demand.

• The iron ore price pushed above US$100, after this week hitting its 2021 year low. The bulk commodity increased 16.8% yesterday. The iron ore price is now trading 0.2% lower at the time of recording. Global steel output also declined.
• The gold price has plunged more than 1% to US$1,745 an ounce, and the oil price gained 1.4% to US$73.30 a barrel, at its highest level since the beginning of August, boosted by growing fuel demand.

Trading ideas:

• Bell Potter have upgraded their rating on Premier Investments (ASX:PMV) from a HOLD to a BUY, and have increased their 12-month price target to $31.25 (previously $26.10). The investment company delivered strong full year 2021 results, despite the impact of the lockdowns. PMV closed at $27.63 yesterday, implying 13.1% share price growth in a year.

• Bullish charting signals have been identified in PointsBet Holdings (ASX:PBH), Charter Hall Group (ASX:CHC) and Omni Bridgeway (ASX:OBL), according to Trading Central.