On Tuesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) returned from the long weekend with a bang. The benchmark index rose 0.9% to 8,941.6 points.
Will the market be able to build on this on Wednesday? Here are five things to watch:
ASX 200 to rise again
The Australian share market looks set to rise again on Wednesday after a decent night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 44 points or 0.5% higher this morning. In late trade in the United States, the Dow Jones is down 0.8%, but the S&P 500 is up 0.5% and the Nasdaq is 1% higher.
Oil prices jump
ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a good session on Wednesday after oil prices jumped overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 2.9% to US$62.39 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 3% to US$67.57 a barrel. Traders were buying oil in response to a winter storm negatively impacting US output.
Buy Digico shares
Investors should be buying DigiCo Infrastructure REIT (ASX: DGT) shares according to analysts at Bell Potter. According to a note, the broker has upgraded the data centre company’s shares to a buy rating with a $3.25 price target. It said: “Stock has been a key underperformer across the REIT sector last 6m (-17% vs. -3% XPJ), but yet there is now more certainty on leasing / FFO in FY26+ post guidance update.”
Gold price edges higher
ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a relatively subdued on Wednesday after the gold price edged higher overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 0.1% to US$5,087.7 an ounce. The precious metal appears to be in a holding pattern ahead of tonight’s US Federal Reserve interest rate meeting.
Buy DroneShield shares
Bell Potter thinks that DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) shares are still in the buy zone following the release of its quarterly update. This morning, the broker retained its buy rating and $5.00 price target on the counter-drone technology company’s shares. It said: “We believe DRO has a market leading RF detect/defeat C-UAS offering and a strengthening competitive advantage owing to its years of battlefield experience and large and focused R&D team. We expect 2026 will be an inflection point for the global C-UAS industry with countries poised to unleash a wave of spending on RF detect and defeat solutions.”
The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
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More reading
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- Bye bye CBA: BHP is back as the ASX 200’s biggest stock
Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield. 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.
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