On Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) recorded the smallest of gains. The benchmark index rose 3.8 points to 7,255. points.
Will the market be able to build on this on Friday? Here are five things to watch:
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ASX 200 expected to rise
The Australian share market looks set to end the week on a positive note. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 26 points or 0.35% higher this morning. In late trade in the United States, the Dow Jones is up 0.9%, the S&P 500 is up 0.5%, and the NASDAQ index is up 0.5%.
Oil prices climb
Energy producers Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) could have a good finish to the week after oil prices pushed higher overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 0.5% to US$78.07 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 0.4% to US$84.63 a barrel. Chinese demand optimism has lifted prices this week.
Miners lift
It could be a decent finish to the week for mining giants BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO). In late trade on the NYSE, the miners' shares are pushing higher again. The BHP share price is up 3% and the Rio Tinto share price is up 1.5%.
Gold price edges higher
Gold miners Newcrest Mining Ltd (ASX: NCM) and St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) could have a subdued finish to the week after the gold price edged lower overnight. According to CNBC, the spot gold price is down 0.2% to US$1,842.2 an ounce. US dollar and bond yields strengthened and put pressure on gold.
Shares going ex-dividend
A number of ASX 200 shares are trading ex-dividend this morning and could drop into the red. This includes fuel retailer Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD), retirement village company Lifestyle Communities Ltd (ASX: LIC), media company Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC), and wine giant Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE).
