On Thursday the S&P/ASX 200 index returned to form and pushed higher. The benchmark index climbed a sizeable 0.55% to 6,735.1 points.
Will the local share market be able to build on this on Friday? Here are five things to watch:
ASX 200 poised to rise.
The S&P/ASX 200 index looks set to finish the week on a positive note. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 16 points or 0.25% higher this morning. This is despite it being a mixed night of trade on Wall Street. In late trade the Dow Jones is 0.1% lower, the S&P 500 is flat, and the Nasdaq is down 0.1%.
Oil prices pull back.
Australian energy producers such as Oil Search Limited (ASX: OSH) and Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) could end the week in the red after oil prices pulled back. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price fell 0.6% to US$56.79 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price dropped 0.2% to US$62.26 a barrel.
Gold price higher.
Further doubts around a trade deal being agreed have given the gold price a boost again. This could mean the likes of Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) trade higher on Friday. According to CNBC, the spot gold price rose 0.55% to US$1,471.50 an ounce.
Shares going ex-dividend.
A couple of popular shares are due to go ex-dividend this morning and could trade lower. This includes building products company James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX) and investment house Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL).
Annual general meetings.
More annual general meetings are scheduled to occur today. All eyes will be on the meetings of financial services company FlexiGroup Limited (ASX: FXL), food company Freedom Foods Group Ltd (ASX: FNP) and administration services company Link Administration Holdings Ltd (ASX: LNK).
