On Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was back on form and pushed higher. The benchmark index rose 0.45% to 8,940.3 points.
Will the market be able to build on this on Friday and end the week on a high? Here are five things to watch:
ASX 200 expected to sink
The Australian share market looks set to sink on Friday following a poor night in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 162 points or 1.8% lower this morning. In late trade on Wall Street, the Dow Jones is down 2.2%, the S&P 500 is down 1.2% and the Nasdaq is down 1.1%.
Oil prices jump
It could be a good finish to the week for ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) after a strong night for oil prices. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 8.4% to US$80.93 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 4.85% to US$85.34 a barrel. Concerns over global fuel supply disruption were behind this rise.
ASX shares going ex-dividend
A number of ASX shares will be going ex-dividend this morning and could trade lower. This includes fuel retailer Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD), broadband provider Aussie Broadband Ltd (ASX: ABB), and tech company Objective Corporation Ltd (ASX: OCL). Last month, Ampol declared a fully franked dividend of 60 cents per share. This will be paid to eligible shareholders at the start of next month on 2 April.
Gold price tumbles
ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) could have a poor finish to the week after the gold price tumbled overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 1.25% to US$5,070.6 an ounce. A stronger US dollar weighed on the precious metal.
Buy Catapult shares
Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT) shares are good value according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, the broker retained its buy rating on the sports technology company’s shares with a trimmed price target of $4.85. It said: “Catapult remains one of our preferred tech stocks amongst the mid caps (along with Gentrack). We note Catapult is likely to come out of the S&P/ASX 200 at the next rebalance later this month but remain in the S&P/ASX 300. This could be viewed as a negative catalyst but in our view is already largely expected so should not come as a surprise.”
The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
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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 Aussie Broadband, Catapult Sports, and Objective and is short shares of Aussie Broadband. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports and Objective. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Aussie Broadband. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.