On Monday the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) started the week in the red with a decline of 0.2% to 6,060.8 points.
Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Tuesday? Here are five things to watch:
ASX futures pointing higher.
The Australian share market is expected to push higher on Tuesday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is poised to open 0.2% or 13 points higher this morning despite a reasonably mixed night of trade on Wall Street. Late in the session the Dow Jones is down 0.25%, the S&P 500 is flat, and the Nasdaq is up 0.1%.
Challenger half year results.
The Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF) share price will be on watch today when it releases its half year results. Last month the annuities company's shares were smashed when it downgraded its full year guidance. I'll be looking to see if its performance has improved since its update.
Transurban interim results.
Toll road giant Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) is due to release its half year results on Tuesday. According to Morgans, the broker is expecting double digit earnings growth driven by acquisitions. Whereas Goldman Sachs has pencilled in net profit after tax of $257 million and will be looking for commentary around ongoing development opportunities.
Oil prices lower.
Oil Search Limited (ASX: OSH) and Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) shares could slide lower on Tuesday after oil prices declined. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price fell 0.5% to US$52.47 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price dropped 0.9% to US$61.52 a barrel. Although US-China trade talks resumed, the market was not optimistic on them.
Shares going ex-dividend.
A number of shares are going ex-dividend this morning and are likely to trade lower. These include pet care company Greencross Limited (ASX: GXL), consumer products company GUD Holdings Limited (ASX: GUD), and insurance giant Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG).
