On Tuesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a subdued session and edged slightly lower. The benchmark index fell 3.2 points to 9,070 points.
Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Wednesday? Here are five things to watch:
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ASX 200 to fall
The Australian share market looks set for a poor session on Wednesday following a disappointing night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 18 points or 0.2% lower. In the United States, the Dow Jones fell 0.2%, the S&P 500 dropped 0.7%, and the Nasdaq tumbled 1.3%.
Oil prices rise again
ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have another positive session on Wednesday after oil prices rose again overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 0.8% to US$85.20 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 0.3% to US$91.14 a barrel. Fading US-Iran peace deal hopes were behind this.
CSL shares rated hold
In response to its results on Tuesday, Bell Potter has retained its hold rating on CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares with an improved price target of $150.00 (from $120.00). It said: "Based on the new underlying NPAT metric, CSL trades on a PE multiple of ~19x FY26 and ~18x FY27 earnings, with flat revenue growth and low-to-mid single digit earnings growth expected for FY27. While the result today suggests the worst (by way of earnings declines) is in the rear-view for CSL, we find it difficult to justify a greater premium than is now being attributed relative to global biopharma peers."
Gold price tumbles
ASX 200 gold shares such as Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a poor session on Wednesday after the gold price tumbled. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 1.8% to US$4,394 an ounce. Traders were selling gold after bond yields surged to their highest levels in decades.
More ASX 200 results
Another group of ASX 200 shares are releasing their results on Wednesday and will be on watch. This includes gold miner Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN), mineral sands producer Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU), lotteries company Lottery Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLC), energy giant Santos, and coal miner Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC).
