On Monday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) overcame a tough start to record a decent gain. The benchmark index rose 0.4% to 7,243.9 points.
Will the market be able to build on this on Tuesday? Here are five things to watch:
ASX 200 futures pointing lower
The Australian share market is expected to open the day sharply lower this morning following a poor start to the week on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is poised to open the day 105 points or 1.5% lower. In late trade on Wall Street, the Dow Jones is down 1.2%, the S&P 500 is down 1.1%, and the Nasdaq has fallen 0.8%.
BHP half year results
The BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price will be in focus on Tuesday when it releases its half year results. According to a note out of Morgans, its analysts are forecasting underlying EBITDA of US$17,371 million and a US$1.26 cents per share interim dividend. Elsewhere, according to CommSec, the market consensus is for a net profit after tax of US$9.8 billion.
Oil prices rise again
Energy producers such as Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) could have a good day after oil prices pushed higher again. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 2.45% to US$95.38 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price has risen 2% to US$96.37 a barrel. Ukraine-Russia tensions are supporting the oil price.
Gold price higher
Those tensions are also supporting the gold price, which bodes well for gold miners Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) on Tuesday. According to CNBC, the spot gold price is up 1.7% to US$1,873.40 an ounce. This means the precious metal is trading near three-month highs.
SEEK half year results
The SEEK Limited (ASX: SEK) share price will also be on watch today when it releases its half year results. According to a note out of Morgans, its analysts are expecting the job listings giant to report revenue of $534 million and EBITDA of $260 million. This is 10% and 13%, respectively, ahead of the market consensus estimate.
