On Friday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) finished the week with a small gain. The benchmark index rose 0.3% to 7,194.9 points.
Will the market be able to build on this on Monday? Here are five things to watch:
ASX 200 expected to rise
The Australian share market looks set to open the week higher following a decent finish on Wall Street on Friday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 16 points or 0.2% higher on Monday. In the United States, the Dow Jones was up 0.35%, the S&P 500 rose 0.4%, and the NASDAQ climbed 0.45%.
Oil prices charge higher
ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could be heading higher today after oil prices rose on Friday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price was up 2.7% to US$71.23 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price was up 2.4% to US$75.84 a barrel. However, this couldn't stop oil prices from recording their seventh consecutive weekly decline.
Chalice Mining rated as a buy
Chalice Mining Ltd (ASX: CHN) shares could be in the buy zone according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has responded to recent drilling results by retaining its speculative buy rating and lofty $5.40 price target. This implies a more than 200% upside for investors over the next 12 months.
Chemist Warehouse listing update
Today we are expected to learn the details of the proposed backdoor listing of pharmacy behemoth Chemist Warehouse with Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG). If all goes to plan, the deal is expected to result in a combined entity valued at $10 billion, which would comfortably put it in the ASX 200 index at a future rebalance. Just as long as it can satisfy free float requirements.
Gold price tumbles
It could be a soft start to the week for ASX 200 gold shares including Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) after the gold price fell on Friday. According to CNBC, the spot gold price was down 1.25% to US$2,020.8 an ounce. Traders were selling gold after trimming their rate cut bets following the release of US jobs data.
