On Tuesday the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) finished a volatile day with a decline of 0.1% to 6,184.8 points.
Will the market be able to bounce back on Wednesday? Here are five things to watch:
ASX 200 poised to open higher.
According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day higher. Futures contracts are currently pointing to a 0.15% or 10 points gain at the open. This is despite a disappointing night of trade on Wall Street which late in the session sees the Dow Jones down 0.1%, the S&P 500 off 0.1%, and the Nasdaq up 0.1%.
Oil prices mixed.
Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) shares could be on the move on Wednesday after oil prices had a mixed night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price edged slightly lower to US$59.07 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price rose 0.2% to US$67.69 a barrel.
Platinum share sale.
The Platinum Asset Management Ltd (ASX: PTM) share price will be on watch on Wednesday after Kerr Neilson announced plans to sell a significant number of shares. The co-founder and controller of the company will dispose of 30 million shares and 30 million more shares held by Mrs Judith Neilson via a fully underwritten offer to institutional and professional investors. The shares will be sold for $5.00 per share, compared to yesterday's close price of $5.50.
Nufarm half year results.
Crop protection and specialist seeds company Nufarm Limited (ASX: NUF) is scheduled to release its half year results this morning. Due largely to the droughts in Australia, many have tipped Nufarm to downgrade its full year guidance.
FIRB approves Healthscope takeover.
The Healthscope Ltd (ASX: HSO) share price could push higher today after the Foreign Investment Review Board approved the takeover of the private hospital operator by Brookfield Business Partners, NorthWest Healthcare, and Medical Properties Trust. It has also given its blessing to the associated sale and leaseback of 22 freehold properties by Healthscope to NorthWest and Medical Properties Trust.
