On Friday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) finished a volatile week on a subdued note. The benchmark index edged 0.2% lower to 6,955.2 points.
Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Monday? Here are five things to watch:
ASX 200 expected to edge lower
The Australian share market looks set to start the week slightly in the red despite a solid finish to the week on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day a modest 3 points lower this morning. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones was up 0.4%, the S&P 500 rose 0.55%, and the NASDAQ climbed 0.3%.
Oil prices fall
Energy shares such as Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a subdued start to the week after oil prices fell on Friday. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price was down 1% to US$69.26 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price fell 1.2% to US$74.99 a barrel. Concerns over the health of the banking sector were to blame.
Aristocrat Leisure shares are a buy
Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL) shares could be heading higher from here according to analysts at Morgans. A note reveals that its analysts have retained their add rating and $43.00 price target on the gaming technology company's shares. It commented: "We're optimistic about ALL's long-term growth potential, given its superior capitalisation and strong ability to invest in the development of its land-based and digital gaming businesses."
Gold price pulls back
Gold miners Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a soft start to the week after the gold price pulled back on Friday night. According to CNBC, the spot gold price fell 0.75% to $1,981.0 per ounce. The gold price continues to hover around the US$2,000 an ounce mark amid the banking crisis.
Dividends being paid
A couple of ASX 200 shares will be paying their latest dividends on Monday. These are appliance manufacturer Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG) and gold miner Gold Road Resources Ltd (ASX: GOR). The former is rewarding its shareholders with a fully franked 15 cents per share interim dividend.
