On Friday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) ended the week with a small gain. The benchmark index rose 0.2% to 8,555.8 points.
Will the market be able to build on this on Monday? Here are five things to watch:
The Australian share market looks set to fall on Monday following a mixed finish to the week on Wall Street on Friday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 52 points or 0.6% lower. In the United States, the Dow Jones was down 0.4%, the S&P 500 edged slightly lower, and the Nasdaq rose 0.4%.
It could be a tough start to the week for ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) after oil prices pulled back on Friday. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price was down 1% to US$70.57 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price was down 0.4% to US$74.74 a barrel. A potential Ukraine peace deal eased supply worries and put pressure on prices.
A number of ASX 200 shares will be on watch on Monday when they release their latest results. Among the highlights are Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) and A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M). Australia's oldest bank is releasing its first quarter update and all eyes will be on its net interest margin and bad debt levels. Infant formula company A2 Milk is releasing its half year results and is expected to post "mid to high single-digit revenue growth" but a softer EBITDA margin. The company is also expected to announce its first-ever dividend.
ASX 200 gold shares such as Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a poor start to the week after the gold price tumbled on Friday night. According to CNBC, the gold futures price was down 1.75% to US$2,893.7 an ounce. Profit taking weighed on the precious metal on Firday night.
Analysts at Goldman Sachs have retained their buy rating and $142.00 price target on WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares ahead of the release of its half year results. It is expecting a strong result from the logistics solutions company. It said: " This will be WiseTech's first result reported in USD functional currency. We expect a strong set of 1H25 results driven by Cargowise revenue growth and efficient cost management. Overall we forecast: (1) Revenue +17% to US$382mn (VAe US$373mn), with Cargowise revenue growth +21% to US$333mn (46.4% skew vs 1H23/24 45.5%/47.6%; VAe US$325mn) ; (2) EBITDA +24% to US$188mn (VAe US$189mn); (3) NPAT +32% to US$111mn (VAe US$105mn); and (4) Cap R&D of US$71mn or 53% capitalised (vs guidance 50-55%)."
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