On Tuesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a subdued session and edged lower. The benchmark index fell 0.1% to 9,066.7 points.
Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Wednesday? Here are five things to watch:
ASX 200 to sink
The Australian share market looks set for a disappointing session on Wednesday following a poor night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 78 points or 0.85% lower. In the United States, the Dow Jones fell 0.8%, the S&P 500 dropped 0.7%, and the Nasdaq sank 1%.
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 5.7% to US$90.65 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 5.1% to US$95.13 a barrel. This was driven by an escalation in US-Iran tensions.
Buy Catalyst Metals shares
Bell Potter thinks that Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL) shares could be worth considering. This morning, the broker has retained its buy rating on the gold miner’s shares with a trimmed price target of $12.80 (from $13.25). It said: “FY26 was a significant year for CYL, building operationally and financially YoY, achieving guidance. Our FY27 outlook remains unchanged (128koz for $2,833/oz AISC), subject to the September 2026 guidance and strategy release. We lower our TP to $12.80/sh and retain Buy.”
Gold price tumbles
ASX 200 gold shares Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a poor session on Wednesday after the gold price tumbled. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 2.4% to US$4,375 an ounce. A stronger US dollar and US treasury yields weighed on the precious metal.
Buy GrainCorp shares
Bell Potter is also tipping Graincorp Ltd (ASX: GNC) shares as a buy this week with an improved price target of $7.15 (from $5.90). Commenting on its recommendation, the broker said: “The ABARE crop report is positive and likely to lead to consensus upgrades. However, the margin backdrop at this point, in terms of both grain basis and oilseed crush margins, looks possibly the strongest it has for three years. To us this is key, as consensus FY27e expectations (which this crop estimate underwrites) looks to be carrying forward the margin environment of FY25-26e, which was materially weaker. This implies that there is both volume and margin upside potential within consensus FY27e expectations.”
The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
Should you invest $1,000 in Beach Energy right now?
Before you buy Beach Energy shares, consider this:
Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Beach Energy wasn’t one of them.
The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…
* Returns as of 1 August 2026
.custom-cta-button p {
margin-bottom: 0 !important;
}
More reading
- The average superannuation balance for 64 year olds in Australia in FY27
- This exciting ASX 300 stock has 89% upside: Broker
- Santos shares rebound 8% in a month: Buy, sell or hold?
- ASX gold shares have surged 34% in a month. Morgan Stanley says this could come next
- The ASX 200 is falling again. What’s behind the sell-off?
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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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.