With earnings season out of the way, the week ahead looks set to be much quieter for the local share market.
But that doesn't mean that it won't be eventful. Here are a few things to watch out for this week:
Monday.
The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) looks set for a positive start to the week after Wall Street rebounded on Friday from Trump's trade comments. One share that is unlikely to move higher, though, is InvoCare Limited (ASX: IVC). The funerals company's shares go ex-dividend today for its fully franked 27.5 cents per share final dividend. This is then expected to be paid to eligible shareholders on April 6. The shares of BWX Ltd (ASX: BWX) and MNF Group Ltd (ASX: MNF) are also going ex-dividend this morning.
Tuesday.
The Reserve Bank of Australia will take centre stage on Tuesday for its second meeting of the year. Unfortunately for savers, the central bank is widely expected to keep interest rates on hold at the record low of 1.5%. Australian retail sales data is also scheduled to be released, with the consensus forecast tipping a 0.4% rise. Retailers such as Myer Holdings Ltd (ASX: MYR) and Harvey Norman Holdings Limited (ASX: HVN) will be worth keeping an eye on when this data is released.
Wednesday.
It looks set to be a reasonably quiet day on Wednesday. Notable shares that are going ex-dividend include health supplements company Blackmores Limited (ASX: BKL), wine company Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE), and Australia's leading airline and flag carrier Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN).
Thursday.
On Thursday the shares of mining giants South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) and BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) are due to go ex-dividend for their generous interim dividends. I think this could be a good time to consider the two miners, especially with the global economy looking strong. Dividend favourite G8 Education Ltd (ASX: GEM) is also set to go ex-dividend for its 10 cents per share interim dividend.
Friday.
The week looks set to come to end with another quiet day. The only events of note at this stage are the shares of OZ Minerals Limited (ASX: OZL), WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC), and Vista Group International Ltd (ASX: VGL) going ex-dividend.
