On Wednesday the S&P/ASX 200 index gave back its early gains to end the day a fraction lower at 6,543.7 points.
Will the market be able to bounce back on Thursday? Here are five things to watch:
ASX expected to open higher.
The Australian share market looks set to edge higher this morning despite a disappointing night of trade in Europe and the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 index is poised to open 0.1% or 5 points higher this morning. On Wall Street the Dow Jones fell 0.3%, the S&P 500 dropped 0.4%, and the Nasdaq tumbled 0.6%.
Oil prices crash lower.
Australian energy producers Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) could drop into the red today after oil prices crashed lower amid rising U.S. crude oil stockpiles. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price fell 4.1% to US$51.10 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price fell 3.9% to US$59.87 a barrel.
Gold price higher.
It could be another positive day of trade for gold miners including Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) and St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) after the gold price pushed higher due to global economic growth concerns. According to CNBC, the spot gold price has risen 0.4% to US$1,336.8 an ounce.
ResMed quarterly dividend.
Eligible shareholders of ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD) can look forward to being paid the sleep treatment specialist's latest quarterly dividend later today. An interim dividend of 3.7 cents per share will be paid to shareholders.
Evolution block sale.
The Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) share price will be on watch this morning after the AFR reported that one of its major shareholders was offloading 50 million shares. JPMorgan and Citi are believed to be looking to sell the shares at a $3.74 floor price on behalf of La Mancha. These shares represent a 3% stake in the company.
