Last week was a big one for S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX: XJO) shares in the first full week of trade in the new year.
Geopolitical tensions dominated market movements, with the back and forth between the United States and Iran making waves around the world.
With that in mind, here are 3 ASX 200 shares that I'll be keeping an eye on as we kick off another big week for Aussie equities.
3 ASX 200 shares to watch this week
1. Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL)
I think the heightened tensions between the United States, its allies and Iran all point to movements in crude oil prices.
With the potential for further sanctions and the first of the warning shots by both sides, Woodside Petroleum is one of those ASX 200 shares to keep an eye on this week.
Woodside is the largest oil and gas producer in Australia and our largest independent oil and gas company. That makes the Woodside share price highly susceptible to movements in crude oil, and I think it could be an early mover this morning.
2. Saracen Mineral Holdings Limited (ASX: SAR)
Saracen Minerals is a leading ASX 200 gold producer which could be climbing higher on Monday. The current risk-off environment has already seen Aussie gold companies climb higher on the ASX this year.
The Saracen share price is up 8.76% since the start of the new year and I think it could climb higher this week. Investors don't like uncertainty and we're bound to see more of that with the Iran situation and the ongoing Brexit negotiations this week.
3. Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF)
The Rural Funds Group share price is among my top ASX 200 shares to watch this week.
Bushfires continue to rage around Australia and have caused an unprecedented amount of damage to communities across the country.
The ongoing disaster has put ASX agriculture shares such as Rural Funds Group under pressure in recent months.
With millions of hectares burning across Australia, I think this ASX 200 company could be one to keep an eye for any further updates on its own portfolio and the economic impact of the fires.
