On Friday the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) finished the week on a very positive note. The benchmark index rose 0.8% to 7,443 points.
Will the market be able to build on this on Monday? Here are five things to watch:
ASX 200 expected to edge lower
The Australian share market looks set to have a subdued start to the week. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 3 points lower this morning. This is despite it being a solid end to the week on Wall Street, which saw the Dow Jones rise 0.5%, the S&P 500 climb 0.7%, and the Nasdaq storm 1% higher.
NAB goes ex-dividend
The National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) share price is likely to drop today when it trades ex-dividend for its final dividend for FY 2021. Last week, the banking giant declared a fully franked final dividend of 67 cents per share with its full year results. This brought its full year dividend to 127 cents per share. Eligible NAB shareholders can look forward to receiving this latest dividend on 15 December.
Oil prices fall
Energy producers such as Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) could have a poor start to the week after oil prices slumped on Friday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 1% to US$80.79 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price has fallen 0.8% to US$82.17 a barrel. Oil prices fell on concerns the US may release oil from strategic reserves to cool prices.
Gold price rises
Gold miners Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could start the week on a positive note after the gold price edged higher on Friday night. According to CNBC, the spot gold price climbed 0.25% to US$1,868.50 an ounce. The gold price had its best week since May amid inflation fears.
Incitec Pivot results
The Incitec Pivot Ltd (ASX: IPL) share price will be on watch today when it releases its full year results. The agricultural chemicals company had a disappointing first half. However, management guided to a much stronger second half, so investors will be looking for the company to deliver on that.
