On Wednesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had another good day and charged higher. The benchmark index rose 0.5% to 7,377.9 points.
Will the market be able to build on this on Thursday? Here are five things to watch:
ASX 200 expected to fall
The Australian share market looks set to give back its gains on Thursday following a poor night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 45 points or 0.6% lower this morning. In late trade on Wall Street, the Dow Jones is down 1%, the S&P 500 is down 0.9%, and the Nasdaq has tumbled 1%.
Brickworks half year results
The Brickworks Limited (ASX: BKW) share price will be in focus today when the building products company releases its half year results. According to a recent note out of Citi, its analysts are expecting Brickworks to report underlying earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of $321 million. Looking ahead, the broker suspects the company will outperform expectations for the full year thanks partly to profits from its investment in New Hope Corporation Limited (ASX: NHC).
Oil prices jump
It could be a good day for energy shares including Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) after oil prices jumped overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 5% to US$114.78 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 5.3% to US$121.61 a barrel. Disruption to the Caspian pipeline has caused more supply concerns.
Uniti bidding war?
The Uniti Group Ltd (ASX: UWL) share price is likely to return from a trading halt this morning. The telco's shares surged higher on Wednesday afternoon before being halted. This was amid speculation, which has yet to be confirmed, that Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) is making a competing $5.00 per share takeover offer. This follows the receipt of a $4.50 cash per share from Morrison & Co last week.
Gold price rises
It could be a good day for gold miners Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Regis Resources Limited (ASX: RRL) after the gold price stormed higher. According to CNBC, the spot gold price is up 0.95% to US$1,939.4 an ounce. Concerns over the Ukraine crisis and inflation boosted the safe haven asset.
