On Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a volatile session and ended it in the red. The benchmark index fell 0.15% to 8,831.4 points.
Will the market bounce back from this on Friday and end the week on a high? Here are five things to watch:
ASX 200 expected to fall again
The Australian share market looks set to fall on Friday following a relatively poor night in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 27 points or 0.3% lower this morning. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones was down 0.5% and the S&P 500 fell 0.1%, but the Nasdaq pushed 0.35% higher.
Oil prices fall
It could be a subdued finish to the week for ASX 200 energy shares such as Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) after oil prices dropped overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 0.9% to US$63.79 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 0.8% to US$66.34 a barrel. A potential Trump-Putin meeting in the coming days put pressure on oil prices.
QBE half year results
QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE) shares will be on watch today when the insurance giant releases its half year results. According to a note out of Bell Potter, its analysts expect QBE to report a 5% increase in gross written premium (GWP) to US$13,707 million and a 4% lift in net profit after tax to US$838 million. This is expected to allow the QBE board to declare a dividend of 39.6 Australian cents per share, which will be an increase of 65% year on year.
Gold price rises
ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a good finish to the week after the gold price pushed higher overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 0.6% to US$3,453.5 an ounce. The precious metal hit a two-week high on trade tensions and rate cut hopes.
Buy Light & Wonder shares
Light & Wonder Inc. (ASX: LNW) shares could rise strongly from current levels according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, in response to its second quarter update, the broker has retained its buy rating with a trimmed price target of $178.00 (from $194.00). Commenting on the gaming technology company, Bell Potter said: "We put the disappointing 2Q25 AEBITDA guidance downgrade down to tariff related issues and note that macroeconomic risks remain. We point to robust install base growth in 2Q25 and strong game performance as evidence that the thesis of market share gains in the lucrative premium leased segment remains intact. We see the November 2025 ASX sole listing plan as a key catalyst for a re-rate in the stock but note execution risks exist."
