On Wednesday the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was out of form and ended its winning streak. The benchmark index fell 0.45% to 6,885.2 points.
Will the market be able bounce back from this on Thursday? Here are five things to watch:
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ASX futures pointing lower
It looks set to be another tough day for the Australian share market on Thursday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 23 points or 0.35% lower this morning. This follows another mixed night on Wall Street, which in late trade sees the Dow Jones up 0.2%, the S&P 500 down 0.2%, and the Nasdaq down 0.8%.
ANZ update
Hot on the heels of the Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) update on Wednesday, today it is the turn of Australia and New Zealand Banking GrpLtd (ASX: ANZ) to hand in its report card. Westpac impressed the market with its strong first quarter performance and the reversal of COVID-19 related bad debt charges. ANZ shareholders will be hoping for the same this morning.
Oil prices push higher
It could be a good day for energy producers such as Oil Search Ltd (ASX: OSH) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) after oil prices pushed higher. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 1.4% to US$60.82 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 1.3% to US$64.13 a barrel. Oil prices are being supported by supply disruptions in Texas falling a winter snap.
Gold price sinks again
Gold miners Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) and Resolute Mining Limited (ASX: RSG) could come under pressure again today after the gold price dropped again. According to CNBC, the spot gold price fell 1.4% to US$1,773.40 an ounce. A stronger US dollar and rising US treasury yields are weighing on the safe haven asset.
CSL half year results
The CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) share price will be on watch this morning when it releases its half year results. According to CommSec, the biotech giant is expected to report a net profit after tax of US$1.4 billion and declare an interim dividend of 97 U.S. cents. All eyes will be on its outlook and particularly its comments regarding challenging plasma collections. As these are a vital ingredient in many key therapies, there are concerns that input costs could rise and weigh on margins.
