Aust stocks to open flat on negative leads
The Australian share market is set to open flat after receiving negative leads from offshore markets. Wall Street finished weaker and oil prices slumped back below $US81 a barrel. Metals likewise backpedalled.
On the Sydney Futures Exchange as of this morning, the September share price index contract climbed 4 points at 4511. Yesterday, the major local indices each closed more than 1 per cent down.
In economics news, the Australian Bureau of Statistics is due to announce lending finance data for June at 11.30am east-coast time.
Westpac and the Melbourne Institute will publish their survey of consumer sentiment in August.
Meanwhile, the Australian Office of Financial Management offers on auction $500 million Treasury bonds of the February 2017 line.
In companies news, full-year results are expected today from Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Stockland, Computershare and Abacus Property Group.
In Melbourne, the Financial Services Council commences its three-day yearly conference.
Yesterday, the local share market finished in the negative territory after a careful outlook by National Australia Bank and amid investor caution ahead the US Federal Reserve meeting.
The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index ended 54.2 points or 1.18 per cent lower at 4540.7 points. The broader All Ordinaries index slumped 52.6 points, or 1.14 per cent, to hit 4563 points.