On Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) fought hard and managed to record a very small gain. The benchmark index rose slightly to 8,588.2 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 rise on Friday following a strong night in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 48 points or 0.55% higher this morning. In late trade on Wall Street, the Dow Jones is up 0.15%, the S&P 500 is 0.75% higher, and the Nasdaq is storming 1.3% higher.
Oil prices rise
It could be a decent finish to the week for ASX 200 energy shares such as Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) after oil prices rose overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 0.3% to US$56.12 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 0.2% to US$59.81 a barrel. Traders were buying oil in response to mounting supply risks.
Dividend pay day
Today is a good day to own ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares. That's because both big four banks are scheduled to pay their latest dividends. ANZ is paying a partially franked 83 cents per share dividend, whereas Westpac is paying a fully franked 77 cents per share dividend to shareholders.
Gold price falls
ASX 200 gold shares such as Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a subdued finish to the week after the gold price edged lower overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 0.15% to US$4,366.7 an ounce. The precious metal eased after nearing a record high on rate cut optimism.
Jumbo update
Jumbo Interactive Ltd (ASX: JIN) shares will be on watch today after the online lottery ticket sellers made an announcement after the market close yesterday. It advised that Lotterywest has awarded a contract for the development, implementation, and support of a gaming solution and digital solution to replace its existing gaming and digital solutions platform to Brightstar Lottery (NYSE: BRSL) (Brightstar). However, Jumbo revealed that it will work with Brightstar on a subcontractor arrangement to provide components of the solution.
