5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
On Wednesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had another bad session and sank deep into the red. The benchmark index was down 1.3% to 7,786.2 points.
Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Thursday? Here are five things to watch:
ASX 200 expected to rebound
The Australian share market looks set to rebound on Thursday following a positive night of trade on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 17 point or 0.25% higher this morning. In late trade in the United States, the Dow Jones is flat, the S&P 500 is up 0.6%, and the Nasdaq is 1.25% higher.
Oil prices recover
ASX 200 energy shares such as Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a good session after oil prices pushed higher overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 2.1% to US$67.64 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 2% to US$70.92 a barrel. A weaker US dollar gave oil prices a boost.
ASX 200 shares going ex-dividend
Another group of ASX 200 shares will be going ex-dividend this morning and are likely to trade lower. Among the companies going ex-dividend are auto parts seller Bapcor Ltd (ASX: BAP), poultry producer Inghams Group Ltd (ASX: ING), fund manager Perpetual Ltd (ASX: PPT), and coal miner Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL). Perpetual will be paying its eligible shareholders a 61 cents per share dividend early next month on 4 April.
Gold price rises
It could be a decent session for ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) on Thursday after the gold price pushed higher overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 0.75% to US$2,943.2 an ounce. Tariff uncertainty boosted demand for safe haven assets.
Elders rated as a buy
Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD) shares remain a buy according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has reaffirmed its buy rating on the agribusiness company's shares with a trimmed price target of $9.40 (from $9.45). It said: "We would expect many of the issues that plagued 1Q24 have largely unwound in 1Q25 and as such would anticipate a more normal phasing in earnings in FY25e. We remain of the view that the Delta-Elders overlap is limited and manageable (we note the ACCC's final Supermarkets review is also overdue) and would see this a catalyst for momentum to return."
The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Elders. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
The Motley Fool's purpose is to help the world invest, better. Click here now for your free subscription to Take Stock, The Motley Fool's free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson. 2025