5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday 4 March 2021

On Wednesday the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was back on form and stormed higher after strong GDP data was released. The benchmark index rose 0.8% to 6,818 points.

Will the market be able to build on this on Thursday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 futures pointing lower

The Australian share market could give back some of its gains on Thursday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is poised to open the day 7 points lower. In late trade on Wall Street, the Dow Jones is up 0.2%, the S&P 500 is down 0.5%, and the Nasdaq index is tumbling 1.5% lower. Rising bond yields are spooking investors once again.

Mining giants go ex-dividend

Mining giants BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) will be…