On Wednesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was on form again and pushed higher. The benchmark index rose 0.3% to 8,429.8 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 fall on Thursday despite a strong night of trade on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 25 point or 0.3% lower this morning. In late trade in the United States, the Dow Jones is up 0.3%, the S&P 500 is up 0.7%, and the Nasdaq is 1.3% higher. This was driven by a combination of Trump optimism and strong results.
Fortescue quarterly
Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) shares will be on watch today when the iron ore giant releases its second quarter update. According to a note out of Goldman Sachs, it expects the miner to report a small quarter on quarter increase in iron ore shipments to 48.6Mt. Whereas the consensus estimate is for a larger increase to 49.4Mt for the three months. The latter expects this to be achieved with a C1 unit cost of US$19.40 per tonne.
Oil prices ease
ASX 200 energy shares such as Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a subdued session after oil prices edged lower overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 0.4% to US$75.53 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 0.25% to US$79.08 a barrel. Traders appear to be waiting for more Trump policies to be announced before buying.
Gold price rises
It could be a decent session for ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) on Thursday after the gold price pushed higher overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 0.3% to US$2,768 an ounce. Trump uncertainties has caused an increase in demand for safe haven assets.
Buy Paladin Energy shares
Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) shares jumped 10% on Wednesday following the release of the uranium producer's quarterly update. Bell Potter believes there are more gains to come and has reiterated its buy rating with an improved price target of $10.70 (from $10.50). It said: "On balance, we view the result as positive, and is the beginning of PDN turning investor sentiment around."
