The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) had a soft start to the week on Monday. The benchmark index fought back from its early decline to finish the day 2 points lower at 6,141.7 points.
Will the market perform better on Tuesday? Here are five things to watch:
ASX futures pointing higher.
According to the latest SPI futures, the Australian share market is tipped to edge higher at the open. Futures are pointing to a one point rise this morning despite a reasonably positive night of trade on Wall Street. Overnight the Dow Jones slid 0.2% lower, but the S&P 500 rose 0.2% and the Nasdaq increased 0.3%.
Oil prices mixed.
Oil prices were mixed again overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price fell 0.35% to US$67.51 a barrel, but the Brent crude oil price rose 0.7% to US$77.36 a barrel. This was the fourth session in a row that U.S. crude oil prices had fallen. Mixed supply signals appear to be weighing on U.S. oil prices right now.
Royal Commission continues.
The Royal Commission continues on Tuesday with its focus on insurance. On Monday Clearview Wealth Ltd (ASX: CVW) admitted it may have broken the law up to 303,000 times by cold calling people to sell life insurance.
Shares going ex-dividend.
Retailer Adairs Ltd (ASX: ADH), Brambles Limited (ASX: BXB), biotech giant CSL Limited (ASX: CSL), media company News Corp (ASX: NWS), and aged care operator Regis Healthcare Ltd (ASX: REG) are just five of a number of shares going ex-dividend this morning and likely to edge lower at the open.
Ramsay rated as a sell.
According to a note out of Goldman Sachs which looks at the Australian healthcare sector, the broker has declared Ramsay Health Care Limited (ASX: RHC) shares as a sell with a $49.00 price target. The broker thinks investors should focus on ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD) instead. It has a buy rating and $16.70 price target on the sleep treatment company's shares.
