On Tuesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was on form and pushed higher. The benchmark index rose 0.3% to 8,757.8 points.
Will the market be able to build on this on Wednesday? Here are five things to watch:
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ASX 200 to rise
The Australian share market looks set for a decent session on Wednesday despite a mixed night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 18 points or 0.2% higher. In the United States, the Dow Jones fell 0.35%, the S&P 500 was flat, and the Nasdaq was 0.45% higher.
Oil prices fall
ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a subdued session on Wednesday after oil prices fell overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 0.6% to US$95.21 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 1.8% to US$98.52 a barrel. Traders were selling oil on US-Iran peace hopes.
ASX shares going ex-dividend
A number of ASX shares are going ex-dividend this morning and could trade lower. This includes gold miner St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM), energy company Genesis Energy Ltd (ASX: GNE), and toll road operator Atlas Arteria Group (ASX: ALX). The latter will be rewarding its shareholders with an unfranked 20 cents per share dividend next month on 7 October.
Gold price rises
ASX 200 gold shares Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a good session on Wednesday after the gold price pushed higher. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 0.3% to US$4,396.4 an ounce. Falling oil prices have eased rate hike bets.
Hold Seek shares
Bell Potter thinks Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK) shares are around fair value at current prices. This morning, the broker has retained its hold rating on the job listings company's shares with a trimmed price target of $13.00 (from $13.80). It said: "We await a positive shift in sentiment or visibility on jobs volumes recovery; potential near term Growth Fund monetisation remains an asymmetric upside risk, though the rising interest rate backdrop may also be an additional headwind in seeking a desired exit price for nominated assets. SEK appears to be improving operations to sustainably target 10% yield growth on top of strong cost controls, however, despite trading at deep value ex. Growth Fund, macro-based headwinds suggest difficult sentiment near-term for the stock. Maintain Hold."
