On Wednesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was on form again and pushed higher. The benchmark index rose 0.25% to 9,153.2 points.
Will the market be able to build on this on Thursday? Here are five things to watch:
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ASX 200 expected to fall
It looks set to be a subdued session for investors on Thursday despite a positive night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 34 points or 0.35% lower this morning. In late trade in the United States, the Dow Jones is up 0.50%, the S&P 500 is up 1.35%, and the Nasdaq is 1.7% higher.
Xero half-year results
Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) shares will be on watch on Thursday. That's because the cloud accounting platform provider is scheduled to release its eagerly anticipated half-year results. Investors will no doubt be looking to see if AI is having an impact on its user growth and average revenue per user. They will also be looking to see if management retains its full-year operating revenue guidance of NZ$3.62 billion to NZ$3.73 billion, which represents growth of 31% to 35% over FY 2026.
Oil prices recover
ASX 200 energy shares Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a positive session after oil prices rose overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 0.35% to US$86.32 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 1.1% to US$92.46 a barrel. Traders were buying oil due to fading hopes of an imminent Iran-US de-escalation.
Buy Light & Wonder shares
Light & Wonder Inc. (ASX: LNW) shares are good value according to analysts at Morgans. In response to its third-quarter update, the broker has retained its buy rating with a trimmed price target of $165.00 (from $174.00). It said: "We continue to see the stock as materially undervalued given its valuation, albeit with higher near-term volatility. In our view, the set-up into FY27 remains attractive, supported by installed base growth, Gaming content rollout and ongoing deleveraging. We maintain our Buy recommendation, with a target price of A$165 (previously A$174)."
Gold price falls
It could be a poor session for ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) on Thursday after the gold price fell overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 0.9% to US$3,993.3 an ounce. Traders have been selling gold in response to higher than expected US inflation data.
