On Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a very strong session and stormed higher. The benchmark index rose 1.2% to 8,520.7 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 expected to fall
The Australian share market looks set to fall on Friday following a mixed night of trade in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 21 points or 0.25% lower this morning. In late trade on Wall Street, the Dow Jones is down 0.4%, the S&P 500 is up 0.2%, and the Nasdaq is 0.3% higher.
Oil prices fall
ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) could have a relatively poor finish to the week after oil prices fell overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 0.7% to US$70.53 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 0.55% to US$74.22 a barrel. This follows news that Donald Trump is pledging to lower oil prices.
Buy Beach shares
Bell Potter thinks that investors should be buying the dip in the Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) share price. In response to the energy producer's half year results, the broker has reaffirmed its buy rating and $1.70 price target on its shares. It said: "Waitsia Stage 2 is expected to ramp-up from mid-2025 and the new Otway well connections should offset Western Flank decline. Capex is now trending lower and production growth will see earnings and free cash flow lift from FY26, as demonstrated by recent LNG swap cargos."
Gold price eases
ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a subdued session after the gold price fell overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 0.6% to US$2,875.6 an ounce. Traders were taking profit ahead of the upcoming US jobs report.
Buy REA shares
REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) shares are in the buy zone according to analysts at Goldman Sachs. In response to the property listings company's half year results, the broker has retained its buy rating with an improved price target of $273.00. It said: "Delivered a strong 1H25 result, with good growth across a range of segments. The key surprise was the announcement that CEO Owen Wilson would retire in 2H25. Although introducing some uncertainty, we remain highly confident that the business is well-placed to continue delivering strong growth going forward (noting he may remain involved in a non-executive capacity)."
