Last week was a disappointing one for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO). After a positive start, the benchmark index gave back all its gains and finished 2.4% lower than where it started at 5,925.5 points.
Another busy one is expected next week, but hopefully this time with a better outcome. Here are five things to watch:
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ASX 200 futures pointing lower.
The ASX 200 index looks set to start the week with a day in the red. According to the latest SPI futures, the benchmark index is expected to fall 36 points on Monday morning. This follows a disappointing end to the week on Wall Street. The Dow Jones fell 0.55%, the S&P 500 dropped 0.8%, and the Nasdaq index continued its slide and sank 1.3%.
Energy producers on watch.
Concerns over demand for oil could mean that energy producers have a tough week. On Friday night Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell 3.2% to US$42.66 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate crude oil dropped 3.8% to US$39.77 per barrel. According to CNBC, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak believes global oil demand could fall by 9-10 million barrels per day this year due to the pandemic. This could be bad news for the likes of Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL).
Shares going ex-dividend.
A number of popular ASX shares are trading ex-dividend next week. On Monday stock exchange operator ASX Ltd (ASX: ASX) will go ex-dividend for its 122.5 cents per share dividend and healthcare company Sonic Healthcare Limited (ASX: SHL) for its 51 cents per share dividend. Also going ex-dividend next week are Brambles Limited (ASX: BXB) on Wednesday and biotech giant CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) on Thursday.
Dividends being paid.
Some shares are ahead of the group above and are scheduled to pay their dividends next week. These include dividend favourites such as auto parts retailer Bapcor Ltd (ASX: BAP), pizza chain operator Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP), retail giant JB Hi-Fi Limited (ASX: JBH), and self-storage operator National Storage REIT (ASX: NSR).
DEXUS interested in AMP property find.
The DEXUS Property Group (ASX: DXS) share price will be one to watch next week amid speculation the property company is looking to steal the rights to a big Australian investment fund operated by AMP Limited (ASX: AMP). According to the AFR, Dexus is seeking to merge one of its own funds with the AMP Capital Diversified Property Fund. The latter invests on behalf of wholesale clients and is understood to have $4.5 billion in assets under management. This includes stakes in the Gold Coast's Pacific Fair shopping centre, Macquarie Centre in Sydney, and the Quay Quarter in Sydney Harbour.
