On Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a reasonably positive session and edged higher. The benchmark index rose 0.15% to 8,592 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:
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ASX 200 expected to rise again
The Australian share market looks set to jump on Friday following a mixed night in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 100 points or 1.15% higher this morning. In late trade on Wall Street, the Dow Jones is up 1.4% and the S&P 500 is 0.2% higher, but the Nasdaq is down 0.2%.
Oil prices tumble
It could be a poor finish to the week for ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) after oil prices tumbled overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 1.45% to US$57.61 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 1.45% to US$61.31 a barrel. Optimism over Russia-Ukraine peace talks put pressure on oil prices.
Buy Netwealth shares
Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL) shares are in the buy zone according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, the broker upgraded the investment platform provider's shares to a buy rating with a $31.50 price target. It said: "Upgrade to Buy. First Guardian is an overhang, but if net flows are maintained then the company is on-track to beating guidance and maybe consensus. Against this backdrop there continues to be noise – KKR is looking to exit CFS and Macquarie has disrupted its flows – so we view FY26 as a good setup and upgrade based on valuation, where NWL has averaged an EV/EBITDA multiple of 33x. The last traded price implies 29x our blended FY26-27 estimates."
Gold price jumps
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 jumped overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 1.9% to US$4,303.9 an ounce. The precious metal has risen since the US Federal Reserve cut rates again.
NAB AGM
National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) shares will be on watch today when it becomes the second big four bank to hold its annual general meeting this week. It is possible that the bank will provide the market with an update on recent trading. Today is also pay day for NAB shareholders, with the bank scheduled to pay its fully franked 85 cents per share dividend today.
