On Tuesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was out of form and tumbled lower. The benchmark index fell 1.35% to 9,077.3 points.
Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Wednesday? Here are five things to watch:
ASX 200 to fall
The Australian share market looks set to fall again on Wednesday after a poor night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 104 points or 1.1% lower. In late trade in the United States, the Dow Jones is down 0.5%, the S&P 500 is down 0.75% and the Nasdaq is 0.9% lower. The Dow Jones was down 2% at one stage before recovering.
Oil prices jump again
ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a good session on Wednesday after oil prices stormed higher overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 5% to US$74.79 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 5% to US$81.63 a barrel. This was driven by threats by Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz.
ASX 200 shares going ex-div
Another group of ASX 200 shares are going ex-dividend today and could trade lower. This includes Chemist Warehouse owner Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG), healthcare company Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL), and supermarket giant Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW). The latter will be paying a fully franked 45 cents per share dividend next month on 2 April.
Gold price tumbles
ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a difficult session on Wednesday after the gold price sank overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 3.6% to US$5,121 an ounce. A strong US dollar and higher rate bets put pressure on the precious metal.
Buy Life360 shares
Life360 Inc. (ASX: 360) shares are undervalued according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, in response to its FY 2025 results, the broker has retained its buy rating on the family safety technology company’s shares with a trimmed price target of $40.00. It said: “2025 revenue of US$489m was slightly above our forecast of US$488m and VA consensus of US$486m and was top end of the US$486-489m guidance range. Adjusted EBITDA of $93m, however, was a beat versus our forecast of US$90m and VA consensus of US$88m and was also above the US$87-92m guidance range. Cash at year end was US$495m which was ahead of our forecast of US$476m.”
The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Life360 and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360 and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Sonic Healthcare. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.