On Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a subdued session and edged lower. The benchmark index dropped 0.25% to 9,188.5 points.
Will the market be able to bounce back from 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 for a poor session on Friday despite a positive night of trade in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 35 points or 0.4% lower this morning. In late trade on Wall Street, the Dow Jones is up 0.1%, the S&P 500 is 0.75% higher, and the Nasdaq is up 1%.
Oil prices fall
ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)could have a poor finish to the week after oil prices fell overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 2.8% to US$80.94 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 2.45% to US$86.83 a barrel. This was driven by concerns over falling demand.
Telstra shares given hold rating
Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) shares are a hold according to the team at Bell Potter. This morning, in response to the telco giant's FY 2026 result, the broker has retained its hold rating with a trimmed price target of $4.80 (from $5.10). It commented: "We have lowered the multiple we apply in our PE ratio valuation from 23.75x to 22.5x given the slightly disappointing guidance. We have also reduced the multiple we apply to the Mobile business in our sum-of-the-parts valuation from 8x to 7.75x given the potential threat/risk of increased competition, particularly if the ACCC declares one or more wholesale mobile services post the recently announced enquiry."
Gold price falls
ASX 200 gold shares including Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) could have a soft finish to the week after the gold price fell overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 1.2% to US$4,413.6 an ounce. This appears to have been driven by profit-taking from traders following a strong run.
QBE results
Insurance giant QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE) will be on watch on Friday when it releases its half-year results for FY 2026. QBE is guiding to a combined operating ratio of around 92.5% for FY 2026. It expects this to be supported by constant currency gross written premium growth in the mid-single digits.
