On Thursday the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was on form again and pushed higher. The benchmark index rose 0.25% to 7,082.3 points.
Will the market be able to build on this on Friday? Here are five things to watch:
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ASX 200 expected to fall
The Australian share market looks set to end the week on a disappointing note. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 15 points or 0.2% lower this morning. This is despite it being a positive night of trade on Wall Street, which saw the Dow Jones and S&P 500 jump 0.7%, and the Nasdaq rise 0.2%. Strong results from Facebook and Apple were behind these gains.
Oil prices storm higher
Energy producers including Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) could finish the week on a high after oil prices rose again. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 1.7% to US$64.94 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 1.85% to US$68.52 a barrel. A bullish demand outlook offset concerns about rising COVID-19 cases in India.
ResMed Q3 results
The ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD) share price will be in focus today following the release of its third quarter results. For the three months ended 31 March, ResMed reported revenue of US$768.8 million and an operating profit of US$241.8 million. This represents a 0.1% decline and 2% increase, respectively, over the prior corresponding period.
Gold price flat
Gold miners Newcrest Mining Ltd (ASX: NCM) and St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) will be on watch after a flat night for the gold price. According to CNBC, the spot gold price is steady at US$1,774.10 an ounce. A rise in US bond yields weighed on the precious metal.
Janus Henderson Q1 update
The Janus Henderson Group CDI (ASX: JHG) share price could push higher today following the release of its first quarter update. For the three months ended 31 March, the fund manager reported an operating profit of US$192.5 million. This compares to a US$332.4 million loss in the prior corresponding period. The company's US listed shares rose 1.5% overnight.
