5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday

Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX:EVN), FlexiGroup Limited (ASX:FXL), and Freedom Foods Group Ltd (ASX:FNP) shares will be on watch on the ASX 200 on Friday…

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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).

James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of Link Administration Holdings Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended FlexiGroup Limited, Freedom Foods Group Limited, and Link Administration Holdings Ltd. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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