On Wednesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a decent session and pushed higher. The benchmark index was up 0.1% to 7,934.5 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 set to rise on Thursday following a decent night of trade on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 16 point or 0.2% higher this morning. In late trade in the United States, the Dow Jones is up 0.5%, the S&P 500 is up 0.55%, and the Nasdaq is 0.6% higher. Though, US President Donald Trump will be releasing his trade tariff plans in the next hour, so things could change greatly by the market open.
Oil prices rise
ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a good day after oil prices pushed higher overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 0.85% to US$71.81 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 0.7% to US$75.01 a barrel. Traders were buying oil ahead of the release of the US tariff announcement.
Dividends being paid
A host of ASX 200 shares will be rewarding their shareholders with their latest dividends on Thursday. Among the companies making payments are mining giant South32 Ltd (ASX: S32), diversified food company Bega Cheese Ltd (ASX: BGA), financial services company AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP), and LMI provider Helia Group Ltd (ASX: HLI). The latter is paying a massive 69 cents per share, the equivalent of a 16% yield.
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 0.6% to US$3,164.8 an ounce. The gold price lifted as investors await Trump's tariff plan.
Buy HUB24 shares
The team at Bell Potter thinks that Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB) shares are in the buy zone. This morning, the broker has reaffirmed its buy rating on the investment platform company's shares with a trimmed price target of $78.00 (from $93.00). It said: "Mark-to-markets look to produce a growth headwind against 3Q25 FuA and sentiment. Longer-term, HUB is supported by adviser growth, and we continue to expect structural tailwinds, predicated on a growing precedence to accelerate market share and capture non-traditional assets through the platform."
