5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday

On Tuesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had another poor session and dropped into the red. The benchmark index fell 0.4% to 7,718.2 points.

Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Wednesday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to rebound

It looks set to be a good day for the Australian share market on Wednesday after a positive session in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 20 points or 0.25% higher. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones was up 0.4%, the S&P 500 pushed 0.6% higher, and the Nasdaq climbed 0.85%.

Oil prices fall

ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) could have a poor session after oil prices dropped overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 0.4% to US$83.04 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 0.15% to US$86.47 a barrel. This may have been driven by profit taking after oil hit a two-month high.

Buy Liontown shares

The Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) share price is undervalued according to analysts at Bell Potter. In response to its funding news, the broker has retained its speculative buy rating and $1.85 price target on the lithium developer’s shares. It said: “The LG CN funding is a pragmatic solution to remove the onerous terms associated with traditional bank debt and increase the company’s cash liquidity headroom. […] Under our modelled assumptions, we expect that LTR is fully funded to free cash flow.”

Gold price relatively flat

ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) will be on watch following a flat night for the gold price. According to CNBC, the spot gold price is up a fraction to US$2,339.5 an ounce. This follows an update from the US Federal Reserve which revealed that it isn’t ready to cut rates yet.

BHP rated as a buy

Analysts at Goldman Sachs think BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares would be a good option for investors. This morning, the broker has reaffirmed its buy rating and $48.40 price target on the mining giant’s shares. Goldman notes that BHP’s shares have an “attractive valuation, but at a premium to RIO. Although we believe this premium can be partly maintained due to ongoing superior margins and operating performance.”

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Shares vs. property: Which delivered the best growth in FY24?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Liontown share price roars 17% higher on funding update and ‘tremendous endorsement’
• Could beaten-up Woodside shares offer ‘Safe buying with limited downside’?
• What the RBA minutes imply for the ASX 200 and higher interest rates

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woodside Energy Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs Group. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.