On Monday the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) had a disappointing start to the week and gave back its early gains to finish 0.14% lower.
Will the market be able to rebound on Tuesday? Here are five things to watch:
ASX futures pointing lower.
According to the latest SPI futures, the Australian share market is poised to open the day lower. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 is expected to open the day 3 points or 0.05% lower on Tuesday. The local market appears to be looking for a lacking direction due to the U.S. markets being closed on Monday.
Reserve Bank meeting.
Later today the Reserve Bank of Australia will meet to discuss the cash rate which has remained on hold at the record low of 1.5% for the last 22 meetings. The general consensus is that the central bank will not only keep rates on hold today, but for the whole of this year and next.
Oil prices bounce.
According to Bloomberg, oil prices have rebounded after data out of Iran showed that in August it shipped the least oil since March 2016. This led to the WTI crude oil price rising 0.4% to US$70.10 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price climbing almost 0.7% to US$78.15 a barrel.
Medibank rated as a sell.
A note out of Goldman Sachs reveals that its analysts have slapped a sell rating on the shares of private health insurer Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) with a price target of $2.70. The broker expects a tough gross margin outlook, especially when it comes to rate renegotiations in 2019. In addition to this, an upcoming election could put pressure on the industry. Goldman suspects a 2% rate hike cap could be on the horizon.
Shares going ex-dividend.
A large number of popular dividend shares are due to go ex-dividend this morning for their latest pay outs. This includes food company Bega Cheese Ltd (ASX: BGA), building materials company Boral Limited (ASX: BLD), billing technology company Hansen Technologies Limited (ASX: HSN), Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC), and coal miner Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC).
