The Australian stock market is likely to open flat today following mixed to positive leads from offshore trading overnight. US stock indices were stronger, while Europe equities, metals and oil returned mixed results.

On the Sydney Futures Exchange Thursday morning, the September share price index contract dropped 9 points at 4455 after a relatively flat close on the major local indices yesterday.

In economics news today, average weekly earnings data for May and international merchandise imports for July are expected from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The Australian Office of Financial Management conducts a tender for $1 billion of Treasury Notes of the October 22, 2010 line, and $800 million of Treasury Notes maturing on November 26, 2010.

In equities news Thursday, annual results are due from Wesfarmers, ASX Ltd, Goodman Group, Platinum Asset Management, Charter Hall Office Trust, Brambles, Downer EDI, Industrea, Healthscope, Goodman Fielder, PaperlinX, Challenger Infrastructure Fund, Cromwell Group, Amalgamated Holdings, and PMP.

AMP, QBE Insurance, Adelaide Brighton, and InvoCare are expected to report half-year results.

Yesterday, the Australian bourse ended flat, after broader increases were offset by a huge fall by market heavyweight BHP Billiton.

The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index finished 2.1 points or 0.05 per cent lower at 4474.9 points. The broader All Ordinaries index added 0.7 points or 0.02 per cent to reach 4503.9 points.