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On Friday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) closed the week on a high note, rising by 0.35% to reach 7,796 points. As we look towards Monday, several factors will determine whether the market can maintain this positive momentum. Here are five key elements to watch closely: Image Credit: Pexels ASX 200 Expected to Fall Despite a strong finish last week, the Australian share market appears set to open lower on Monday. The latest SPI futures indicate that the ASX 200 will likely start the day 16 points or 0.2% lower. This anticipated drop follows a mixed performance on Wall Street on Friday, where the Dow Jones rose by 0.05%, the S&P 500 dipped by 0.15%, and the Nasdaq fell by 0.2%. The uncertainty in the US market may weigh on Australian shares as trading resumes. Oil Prices Soften Energy shares on the ASX 200, such as Santos Ltd ( ASX: STO ) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS), might face a subdued start to the week due to softening oil prices. According to Bloomberg, th...

Image Credit: Pexels It won't be long until a considerable number of ASX 200 shares undergo the ex-dividend process, marking a crucial juncture for investors anticipating their next payouts. When the ex-dividend date for ASX Dividend Stocks is reached, it signifies that new investors are no longer entitled to partake in the forthcoming dividend. Consequently, investors find themselves with a window of opportunity until the conclusion of the trading day preceding the ex-dividend date, during which they can acquire shares to ensure eligibility for the impending payout. Here's an in-depth look at four prominent ASX 200 shares slated to go ex-dividend next week: Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL) This gaming technology company's shares are scheduled to go ex-dividend on Thursday, 30 November, offering investors a fully franked dividend of 34 cents per share. Eligible shareholders can anticipate receiving this payout in the subsequent month, precisely on 19 December. Grainco...

  Image Credit: Pexels The ASX large caps witnessed dynamic movements as gold stocks rose, energy stocks faced a decline, and Accent, the renowned shoes retailer, experienced a notable 9% downturn. This article delves into the factors behind the surge in ASX gold stocks , the challenges in the energy sector, and the circumstances contributing to Accent's stock decline. Gold Stocks Ascend One of the highlights of the week was the notable rise in gold stocks among ASX large caps. This section explores the factors contributing to the upswing in gold stocks, considering global economic conditions, investor sentiment, and other relevant factors that influenced the gold market. Energy Stocks Descend On the flip side, the energy sector encountered challenges during the week, leading to a decline in energy stocks among ASX large caps. This part of the article delves into the specific factors influencing the energy sector, providing insights into the reasons behind the decline in energy st...