On Friday the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) ended a tough week on a positive note with a 0.6% gain to 6,165.3 points.
Will the market be able to build on this on Monday? Here are five things to watch:
ASX futures pointing higher.
According to the latest SPI futures, the Australian share market is expecting to open the week higher. Futures are currently pointing to a 6-point or 0.1% rise at the open. This follows a mixed end to the week on Wall Street which saw the Dow Jones and S&P 500 edge higher but the Nasdaq drop a touch lower.
Aged care royal commission is coming.
Estia Health Ltd (ASX: EHE) and Japara Healthcare Ltd (ASX: JHC) shares could come under pressure on Monday after Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a royal commission into Australia's aged care system. According to the ABC, the inquiry will focus on residential and in-home aged care for seniors, but will also cover care for young people with disabilities who live in aged care homes.
Monash IVF accused of bullying.
The shares of Monash IVF Group Ltd (ASX: MVF) will be on watch today after the AFR reported that a former star doctor had opened up claims of bullying. According to the report, Dr Lynn Burmeister claims there were a number of events during her time with the company where she felt bullied and uncomfortable.
Oil prices mixed.
Oil prices had a mixed finish to the week. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price climbed 0.6% to US$68.99 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price dropped 0.1% to US$78.09 a barrel. Many experts are tipping oil prices to remain elevated over the coming months due to supply looking tight ahead of the northern hemisphere winter which traditionally sees a lift in oil usage.
Shares going ex-dividend.
The next round of shares going ex-dividend starts today. This includes the shares of airline operator Alliance Aviation Services Ltd (ASX: AQZ), waste management company Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (ASX: CWY), hearing solutions company Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH), fintech star Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB), and fledgling telco Over The Wire Holdings Ltd (ASX: OTW).