On Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was on form again and pushed higher. The benchmark index rose 0.3% to 9,043.5 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 fall
The Australian share market looks set to tumble on Friday following a poor night in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 54 points or 0.6% lower this morning. In late trade on Wall Street, the Dow Jones is down 0.7%, the S&P 500 is down 1%, and the Nasdaq is down 1.6%.
Oil prices sink
It could be a poor finish to the week for ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) after oil prices sank overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 2.5% to US$63.03 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 2.4% to US$67.73 a barrel. This was driven by news that the IEA has reduced its demand forecast.
Cochlear half-year results
Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) shares will be on watch on Friday when the hearing solutions company releases its half-year results. According to a note out of Morgans, its analysts are expecting Cochlear to report underlying net profit after tax of $202.6 million. It said: "Cochlear is seen as a key result to watch given its stretched valuation and the launch of the new Nucleus Nexa system, but we view the outcome as more likely to confirm or be slightly below consensus than surprising it."
Gold price tumbles
ASX 200 gold shares including Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) could have a poor finish to the week after the gold price tumbled overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 2.6% to US$4,964 an ounce. Gold fell in response to strong US economic data, which reduced rate cut bets.
Buy Temple & Webster shares
Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW) shares are undervalued after a heavy decline on Thursday according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has reaffirmed its buy rating with a reduced price target of $13.00 (from $19.50). It said: "Key metrics, active customers (1.35m) and repeat rates (62%) were in line with BPe, however revenue per customer tracking below. TPW reaffirmed FY26 EBITDA margin guidance of 3-5% post the entry investment into New Zealand (launched in Oct-25). 2H26 has commenced on +20% check-out revenue growth."
