On Friday the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) finished the week on a positive note. The benchmark index rose 0.4% to 7,456.9 points.
Will the market be able to build on this on Monday? Here are five things to watch:
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ASX 200 expected to rise again
The Australian share market looks set to have a positive start to the week. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 22 points or 0.3% higher this morning. This follows a solid end to the week on Wall Street, which saw the Dow Jones rise 0.55%, the S&P 500 climb 0.4%, and the Nasdaq push 0.2% higher.
ANZ goes ex-dividend
The Australia and New Zealand Banking GrpLtd (ASX: ANZ) share price is likely to drop today when it trades ex-dividend for its final dividend for FY 2021. Last month the banking giant declared a fully franked final dividend of 72 cents per share, bringing its full year dividend to 142 cents per share. Eligible shareholders can look forward to receiving this latest dividend on 16 December. Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) shares are also trading ex-dividend today.
Oil prices jump
Energy producers such as Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) could have a strong start to the week after oil prices jumped on Friday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 3.1% to US$81.27 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price has risen 2.7% to US$82.74 a barrel. Oil prices rose after OPEC rejected the U.S. request to boost its output.
Gold price rises
Gold miners Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could start the week on a positive note after the gold price rose on Friday night. According to CNBC, the spot gold price climbed 1.3% to US$1,816.80 an ounce. The gold price hit a two-month high after dovish central bank comments regarding interest rates.
REA shares named as buys
The REA Group Limited (ASX: REA) share price could be good value according to analysts at Goldman Sachs. In response to a strong first quarter result, the broker has reiterated its buy rating and lifted its price target to $193.00. This compares to the current REA share price of $176.81.
