5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday

Here's what to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday…

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

On Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) ran out of steam and ended its winning run with a small decline. The benchmark index fell 0.2% to 7,499.6 points.

Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Friday and end the week on a high? Here are five things to watch:

Broker looking at the share price on her laptop with green and red points in the background.

Image source: Getty Images

ASX 200 expected to fall

The Australian share market looks set to end the week on a subdued note following a poor night of trade on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 15 points or 0.2% lower this morning. In late trade in the US, the Dow Jones is down 0.7%, the S&P 500 trading is down 0.65%, and the Nasdaq is down 0.6%.

Oil prices tumble

Energy producers including Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) could have a tough finish to the week after oil prices tumbled. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 6.5% to US$100.84 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 5.4% to US$107.29 a barrel. This follows news that US President, Joe Biden, will release 1 million barrels per day of oil from strategic petroleum reserves to support supply and combat sky high prices.

Tabcorp given buy rating

The Tabcorp Holdings Limited (ASX: TAH) share price could be in the buy zone according to analysts at Goldman Sachs. In response to the gambling company's demerger update, the broker has put a buy rating and $6.20 price target on its shares. It said: "We continue to see this [demerger] as a key catalyst in unlocking significant shareholder value."

Gold price rises

Gold miners Newcrest Mining Ltd (ASX: NCM) and St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) could have a decent finish to the week after the gold price edged higher. According to CNBC, the spot gold price is up 0.4% to US$1,947 an ounce. This was driven by weaker treasury yields and puts the precious metal on course to record its best quarter in almost two years.

Dividends being paid

It is another big day of dividend payments on Friday with a number of ASX 200 shares rewarding their shareholders today. Among the companies paying dividends are banking and insurance company Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN), telco giant Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS), and wine company Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE).

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns and has recommended Telstra Corporation Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Treasury Wine Estates Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Share Market News

A man holding a cup of coffee puts his thumb up and smiles while at laptop.
Broker Notes

Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week

Brokers gave buy ratings to these ASX shares last week. Why are they bullish?

Read more »

Man sitting in a plane seat works on his laptop.
Broker Notes

Down 34% in 2026, are Virgin Australia shares a good buy today?

A leading analyst delivers his outlook for Virgin Australia’s beaten-down shares.

Read more »

Red buy button on an Apple keyboard with a finger on it.
Broker Notes

Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy right now

Here's why brokers are feeling bullish about these three shares this week.

Read more »

A smiling woman holds a Facebook like sign above her head.
Broker Notes

Why these ASX shares are rated as buys in April

Let's see what makes them bullish on these names right now.

Read more »

Australian dollar notes in the pocket of a man's jeans, symbolising dividends.
Broker Notes

Are CBA shares still a good buy for passive income?

A leading analyst delivers his verdict on CBA’s passive income appeal.

Read more »

A financial expert or broker looks worried as he checks out a graph showing market volatility.
Broker Notes

Morgans names 2 ASX shares to buy and 1 to accumulate

What is the broker recommending investors do with these shares?

Read more »

Small chocolate bunnies.
Share Gainers

Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

It was a rough end to the short trading week.

Read more »

A woman draws on a clear screen a line graph that shows a falling horizontal line.
52-Week Lows

Why Stockland shares just crashed to a multi-year low

Stockland’s sell-off deepens.

Read more »