On Wednesday the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) continued its positive run with another gain. The benchmark index finished the day 0.3% higher at 5,835.2 points.
Will the local market be able to build on this on Thursday? Here are five things to watch:
ASX futures pointing higher.
According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day higher today. Current futures contracts are pointing to the market opening the day 8 points or 0.15% higher this morning. This follows another positive night of trade on Wall Street which late in the session sees the Dow Jones up 0.8%, the S&P 500 up 0.4%, and the Nasdaq up 0.3%.
Oil prices mixed.
The shares of Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) will be on watch on Thursday after a mixed night of trade for oil prices. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 0.25% to US$51.98 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price has risen 0.6% to US$61.02 a barrel.
Orocobre quarterly update.
The Orocobre Limited (ASX: ORE) share price could be on the move today when the lithium miner releases its update for the December quarter. Late last month Orocobre advised that it had experienced a significant decline in the price it is commanding for its lithium due to soft demand. Investors will no doubt be looking for signs that prices are recovering in the current quarter.
Trading updates.
Once again, investors will be keeping an eye out for trading updates from Afterpay Touch Group Ltd (ASX: APT) and Kogan.com Ltd (ASX: KGN). Both companies traditionally provide an update on their performances during the all-important Christmas period in mid to late January.
CYBG PLC shares trade ex-dividend.
The CYBG PLC (ASX: CYB) share price is likely to trade lower today after going ex-dividend for its 5.5 cents per share final dividend. Eligible shareholders of the British bank will receive this dividend in their nominated accounts on February 15.
