On Monday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) started the week with a solid gain. The benchmark index rose 0.4% to 9,055.6 points.
Will the market be able to build on this on Tuesday? Here are five things to watch:
ASX 200 expected to fall
The Australian share market looks set to fall on Tuesday despite a very strong start to the week on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is poised to open the day 35 points or 0.4% lower. In late trade in the United States, the Dow Jones is up 0.7%, the S&P 500 is 1.2% higher, and the Nasdaq has jumped 1.8%.
Liontown update
Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) shares will be on watch on Tuesday when the lithium miner releases its first quarter update. The team at Macquarie expects Liontown to outperform expectations during the three months. It said: "Our 1QFY26 production estimate for LTR is 4% above market expectations. We forecast spodumene production of 52kt in 1QFY26E with shipments 2H weighted."
Oil prices soften
It could be a subdued session for ASX 200 energy shares such as Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) after oil prices softened overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 0.15% to US$61.40 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 0.35% to US$65.71 a barrel. Demand concerns appear to be behind this decline.
Buy Bega Cheese shares
Bega Cheese Ltd (ASX: BGA) shares are good value according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, in response to the diversified food company's quarterly update, the broker has retained its buy rating and $7.00 price target on its shares. It said: "In effect, BGA now has a clearly articulated strategy to generating >20%pa EPS growth to FY28e. Trading on a FY25-28e PEG ratio of ~1x, BGA is one of the more compelling growth exposures in the sector."
Gold price sinks
ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) could have a tough session on Tuesday after the gold price sank overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 3.2% to US$4,003.9 an ounce. Trade progress between the US and China has cooled demand for safe haven assets.
