Sunday, December 22, 2024

5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday

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On Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had another good session and stormed higher. The benchmark index rose 0.7% to 7,821.8 points.

Will the market be able to build on this on Friday and end the week on a high? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 to rise again

The Australian share market looks set to end the week on a positive note despite a relatively poor session on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 17 points or 0.2% higher this morning. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones was up 0.2%, but the S&P 500 was flat and the NASDAQ was down 0.1%.

Oil prices climb

It looks like ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) could have a good finish to the week after oil prices charged higher overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 2% to US$75.59 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 1.9% to US$79.89 a barrel. Traders were buying oil after the European Central Bank cut interest rates.

Buy Treasury Wine shares

The Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) share price could be good value according to analysts at Goldman Sachs. In response to its North America and guidance update, the broker has reiterated its buy rating with an improved price target of $13.40. Goldman commented: “We reiterate Buy given positive delivery of the strategy reset as well as attractive double-digit EPS growth at an attractive valuation.”

Gold price rises again

ASX 200 gold shares including Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a positive finish to the week after the gold price pushed higher overnight. According to CNBC, the spot gold price is up 0.7% to US$2,392.7 an ounce. Rate cut optimism appears to have given the precious metal a boost and lifted it to a two-week high.

Life360 shares make Wall Street debut

Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) shares will be in focus today when they return from their trading halt. The location technology company halted its shares yesterday as it completed its Nasdaq IPO. Life360 listed on Wall Street at US$27.00 per new share. However, the company’s debut was relatively subdued, with its shares ending the session exactly where they started it. Management stated that it “views the Offering and increased exposure to U.S. investors as a natural next-step in its growth.”

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