5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday

On Tuesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a disappointing session and dropped deep into the red. The benchmark index fell 1% to 8,920.8 points.

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

ASX 200 to rise

The Australian share market looks set for a better session on Wednesday despite a poor night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 17 points or 0.2% higher. In the United States, the Dow Jones fell 1.2%, the S&P 500 dropped 0.6%, and the Nasdaq was 0.3% lower.

Oil prices jump

ASX 200 energy shares including Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a good session on Wednesday after oil prices jumped overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 3% to US$94.25 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 2.4% to US$99.36 a barrel. This follows reports of an Iranian attack on US Navy ships.

Accumulate Paladin Energy shares

Morgans has been looking at Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) and particularly the Patterson Lake South resource. In response, it has maintained its accumulate rating with a trimmed price target of $13.30. It said: "We expect the resource and mine life to increase materially in time. Simply simple – PLS is one of the highest-grade undeveloped uranium projects globally, but its development plan is surprisingly conventional, with a TBM decline, proven mining methods, a standard Athabasca processing flowsheet and uncomplicated tailings storage reducing technical risk. We maintain an ACCUMULATE rating with a reduced price target A$13.30ps (previously A$14.10ps) with the removal of our 10% price premium."

Gold price falls

ASX 200 gold shares including Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a poor session on Wednesday after the gold price pulled back meaningfully. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 1.7% to US$4,400 an ounce. Traders were selling gold ahead of the release of US inflation data.

ASX 200 shares going ex-dividend

A number of ASX 200 shares are going ex-dividend today and could trade lower. This includes Brambles Ltd (ASX: BXB), CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN), IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO), and Northern Star. CSL will be paying shareholders 227.7 cents per share early next month on 2 October.

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL. 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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