5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday

Will the market end the week on a high? Let's find out.

A male investor wearing a white shirt and blue suit jacket sits at his desk looking at his laptop with his hands to his chin, waiting in anticipation.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

On Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was back on form and charged 0.45% higher to 7,749.7 points.

Will the market be able to build on this on Friday and end the week on a high? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 to edge lower

The Australian share market looks set to end the week with a small decline despite a decent session on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 9 points or 0.1% lower this morning. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones was down 0.2%, but the S&P 500 rose 0.2% and the NASDAQ pushed 0.35% higher.

Oil prices fall

It could be a subdued session for ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) after oil prices fell overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 0.7% to US$77.96 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 0.55% to US$82.13 a barrel. This may have been driven by profit taking after solid gains this week.

Sell Reece shares

The Reece Ltd (ASX: REH) share price could be overvalued according to analysts at Goldman Sachs. According to a note, the broker has initiated coverage on the plumbing parts company's shares with a sell rating and $23.35 price target. This implies potential downside of 12% for investors. The broker said: "REH is trading in excess of its historical average premium to the S&P ASX200 (0.6x standard deviations above its 5yr average). Compared to its peer set, REH is also trading above its historic premiums despite lagging the peer set on metrics such as EBIT margins and EBIT growth (note we forecast a 5% EBIT CAGR for REH, in line with Visible Alpha consensus)."

Gold price tumbles

ASX 200 gold shares such as Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a tough finish to the week after the gold price tumbled overnight. According to CNBC, the spot gold price is down 1.5% to US$2,318.8 an ounce. This was despite the release of cooler-than-expected U.S. producer price data. Analysts are attributing the price drop to profit-taking.

Deterra Royalties announces $276 million acquisition

Deterra Royalties Ltd (ASX: DRR) shares will be on watch today after the ASX mining stock announced that Trident Royalties has accepted its 49 pence or 144 million pounds (A$276 million) cash offer. Trident Royalties is a diversified mining royalty company based in the UK. It owns a portfolio of 21 royalties and royalty-like offtake contracts providing exposure to base, precious, bulk and battery metals. This includes lithium, gold, silver, copper, zinc, mineral sands, and iron ore.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs Group. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Share Market News

Fancy font saying top ten surrounded by gold leaf set against a dark background of glittering stars.
Share Gainers

Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

The ASX was back in the green this Wednesday.

Read more »

Businessman working and using Digital Tablet new business project finance investment at coffee cafe.
Broker Notes

Buy, hold, sell: How does Morgans rate these ASX shares?

Morgans has been looking at a couple of popular shares.

Read more »

A man pulls a shocked expression with mouth wide open as he holds up his laptop.
Broker Notes

Why this beaten down ASX 200 stock could rise 50%

This stock could be dirt cheap according to analysts at Bell Potter.

Read more »

A male sharemarket analyst sits at his desk looking intently at his laptop with two other monitors next to him showing stock price movements
Share Market News

4 pros and cons of buying the Vanguard Australian Shares ETF (VAS) in 2026!

This popular ETF isn't a slam dunk...

Read more »

A young woman holding her phone smiles broadly and looks excited, after receiving good news.
Share Gainers

Why 4DMedical, Regis Resources, Unico Silver, and WiseTech Global shares are pushing higher

These shares are having a good time on hump day. But why?

Read more »

Frustrated stock trader screaming while looking at mobile phone, symbolising a falling share price.
Share Fallers

Why Bellevue Gold, Harvey Norman, Karoon Energy, and Westpac shares are falling today

These shares are having a tough time on hump day. But why?

Read more »

woman testing substance in laboratory dish, csl share price
Share Market News

After a 73% surge this ASX healthcare share looks far from done

Brokers are upbeat, and some see possible gains of 90% in 2026.

Read more »

A man in his 30s with a clipped beard sits at his laptop on a desk with one finger to the side of his face and his chin resting on his thumb as he looks concerned while staring at his computer screen.
Share Market News

Magellan Financial Group dips as AUM slips in December quarter

Magellan Financial Group's AUM declined to $39.9 billion at December 2025, with net outflows for the quarter.

Read more »