Key ASX 200 Drivers to Watch Thursday Including NAB Results and Energy Stocks
Analysts highlight five factors influencing Thursday's ASX 200, from expected index gains and National Australia Bank's earnings to falling oil prices and REA Group's quarterly update.
The S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.6% to 8,834.5 points on Wednesday, prompting market participants to look for signs of recovery on Thursday. Futures data from SPI suggest the index could open about 179 points, or roughly 2%, higher, buoyed by a strong performance on Wall Street where the Dow Jones rose 3.05%, the S&P 500 gained 1.6% and the Nasdaq added 1.45%.
National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) is set to release its FY 2026 results, with analysts forecasting a cash profit of AUD 6.3 billion and earnings per share between AUD 2.38 and 2.46, supporting a total dividend of AUD 1.70 per share.
Energy stocks may face pressure after a sharp decline in crude prices. Bloomberg reported that WTI fell 7.8% to US$88.60 a barrel and Brent dropped 8.1% to US$95.18, a move traders attribute to expectations of renewed US-Iran peace talks following the U.S. mid-term elections.
REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) will publish its first-quarter update before the market opens. Citi analysts anticipate revenue of about AUD 440 million, an 8% increase on a continuing-operations basis, and an EBITDA of roughly AUD 284 million, also up 8%.
Gold prices have risen, adding another variable to the market outlook.