5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday

Appen Ltd (ASX:APX), Oil Search Limited (ASX:OSH), and REA Group Limited (ASX:REA) shares will be on watch on the ASX 200 index on Friday…

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

On Thursday the S&P/ASX 200 index fought back from a morning in the red to finish the day 0.75% higher at 6,568.1 points.

Will the Australian share market be able to build on this on Friday and finish on a high? Here are five things to watch:

a woman

ASX 200 expected to push higher. 

The S&P/ASX 200 index looks set to continue its recovery on Friday after a very positive night of trade on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 index is poised to open the day 26 points or 0.4% higher this morning. On Wall Street the Dow Jones climbed 1.4%, the S&P 500 index rose 1.9%, and the Nasdaq raced 2.2% higher.

REA Group results.

All eyes will be on the REA Group Limited (ASX: REA) share price this morning when the property listings company releases its full year results. The market is expecting a reasonably weak finish to FY 2019, so its guidance for the year ahead will be the main item under scrutiny.

Oil prices rebound.

It looks set to be a better day of trade for energy producers such as Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Oil Search Limited (ASX: OSH). Overnight oil prices rebounded from Thursday's sell off thanks to a firmer Chinese yuan and expectations of further cuts by OPEC. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price has climbed 3.5% to US$52.87 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price has risen 2.7% to US$57.73 a barrel.

Tech share to rise.

Appen Ltd (ASX: APX), WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC), and the rest of the Australian tech sector could be on the rise today after their U.S. counterparts stormed higher overnight. The technology-focused Nasdaq index finished the day 2.2% higher after investor sentiment improved.

Gold price edges lower.

The impressive runs being made by the shares of gold miners such as Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) and Resolute Mining Limited (ASX: RSG) could run out of steam today after improving investor sentiment led to the gold price edging lower. According to CNBC, the spot gold price is down 0.25% to US$1,515.70 an ounce.

James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of Appen Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended REA Group Limited. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Share Market News

Share Market News

Testing again

Read more »

Share Market News

Aaron Test 2

Read more »

Share Market News

Aaron Test

Read more »

Share Market News

JP Test

Read more »

Share Market News

JP Test

Read more »

Portrait of Discovery Fund portfolio managers Mark Devcich and Chris Bainbridge
Share Market News

Test

Portfolio managers Mark Devcich (left) and Chris Bainbridge. Image source: Discovery Fund test test

Read more »

a man in a hoodie grins slyly as he sits with his hands poised on a keyboard. He is superimposed with a graphic image of a computer screen asking for a password, suggesting he is a hacker.
Share Market News

Another ASX 200 company has been hit with a cyber incident. Here's what we know

Hackers have breached the systems of this ASX 200 company.

Read more »

a woman
Broker Notes

5 ASX 200 shares that inflation can't touch: expert

Regardless of whether you're a bull or a bear, cost pressures are a factor when buying stocks at the moment.

Read more »