Thanks to a late surge the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) finished the day two points higher at 6,167.2 points on Thursday.
Will the market be able to build on this on Friday? Here are five things to watch:
ASX futures pointing higher.
The Australian share market looks set to finish the week on a positive note. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 34 points or 0.55% higher on Friday. This follows a very positive night of trade on Wall Street. Late in the session the Dow Jones is up 1%, the S&P 500 has climbed 1.2% higher, and the Nasdaq has surged 1.5% higher after the market responded positively to the U.S. Federal Reserve's dovish comments.
Oil prices sink.
Oil Search Limited (ASX: OSH) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) shares could be on the move on Friday after oil prices sank lower. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price dropped 0.5% to US$59.95 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price fell 1% to US$67.79 a barrel.
Atlas Arteria trades ex-dividend.
The Atlas Arteria Group (ASX: ALX) share price is expected to trade around 2.1% lower this morning after going ex-dividend for its interim dividend. Eligible Atlas Arteria shareholders can look forward to the toll road company paying its 15 cents per share dividend into their nominated accounts on April 5.
Gold price pushes higher.
Resolute Mining Limited (ASX: RSG) and St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) shares could be on the rise today after the gold price pushed higher again. According to CNBC, the spot gold price has risen 0.5% to US$1,308.20 an ounce during U.S. trade. This was driven by the U.S. Federal Reserve's dovish comments yesterday.
Dividends being paid.
A number of companies are scheduled to pay their latest dividends today. These include energy retailer AGL Energy Limited (ASX: AGL), iron ore producer Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG), fintech company Iress Ltd (ASX: IRE), salary packaging company McMillan Shakespeare Limited (ASX: MMS), gold miner Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM), and healthcare technology company Pro Medicus Limited (ASX: PME). These funds could find their way back into the market today.
