5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

Mesoblast limited (ASX:MSB) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX:NST) shares will be on watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday…

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On Wednesday the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a day to forget and crashed notably lower. The benchmark index dropped 2.3% lower to 5,815.90 points.

Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Thursday? Here are five things to watch:

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Image source: Getty Images

ASX 200 expected to rebound.

The ASX 200 is expected to rebound on Thursday following a strong night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is poised to open the day 11 points or 0.2% higher this morning. Overnight the Dow Jones rose 1.2%, the S&P 500 climbed 0.8%, and the Nasdaq pushed 0.75% higher.

Mesoblast FDA update.

The Mesoblast limited (ASX: MSB) share price will be in focus today. Earlier this year the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) set Wednesday evening as the review date for its remestemcel-L (RYONCIL) product. Mesoblast is seeking approval to use it as a treatment for paediatric patients with steroid-refractory acute graft versus host disease.

Oil prices mixed

Energy shares such as Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) will be on watch on Thursday after a mixed night for oil prices. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price rose 1.4% to US$39.85 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price has dropped 0.2% to US$40.95 a barrel. U.S. oil jumped higher amid optimism over inventory data.

Gold price tumbles.

Gold miners such as Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) and Saracen Mineral Holdings Limited (ASX: SAR) could drop lower today after the spot gold price weakened. According to CNBC, the spot gold price is down 0.7% to US$1,889.70 an ounce. This meant that the precious metal had its worst month in almost four years.

Dividends being paid.

A number of popular dividends shares will be rewarding their shareholders with pay checks on Thursday. Eligible shareholders of network services company Service Stream Limited (ASX: SSM) and conglomerate Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) are scheduled to receive their dividends later today. They are paying 5 cents and 95 cents per share dividends, respectively.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of Wesfarmers Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Service Stream Limited. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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