On Wednesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) carved out a small gain. The benchmark index rose 0.1% to 7,733.5 points.
Will the market be able to build on this on Thursday? Here are five things to watch:
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ASX 200 expected to rise
The Australian share market looks for a positive session on Thursday following a rebound on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 32 points or 0.4% higher this morning. In late trade on Wall Street, the Dow Jones is up 0.1%, the S&P 500 has risen 0.45%, and the Nasdaq is 0.6% higher.
Oil prices rise
ASX 200 energy shares including Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) could have a good session after oil prices charged higher overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 1.55% to US$79.36 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 1.4% to US$83.14 a barrel. Rising gasoline demand and rate cut hopes boosted prices.
Buy REA shares
Rea Group Ltd (ASX: REA) shares are a buy according to Goldman Sachs. This morning, the broker has retained its buy rating with a $201.00 price target. Commenting on Premiere Plus price increases, it said: "Overall these P+ price rises appear stronger than we (and consensus) had anticipated (GSe +8%, with depth/mix contributing to our +11% yield growth in FY25, VAe consensus yield growth implied +11%) supporting our FY25 EBITDA growth of +18%."
Gold price rise
It could be another decent session for ASX 200 gold shares such as Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) after the gold price rose again overnight. According to CNBC, the spot gold price is up 0.4% to US$2,150.8 an ounce. Rate cut bets are starting to gain ground.
BHP goes ex-dividend
The BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price could trade lower today. That's because the mining giant's shares are scheduled to trade ex-dividend this morning for its next dividend. Eligible shareholders can now look forward to receiving its 110 cents per share interim dividend later this month on 28 March.
