The Australian share market is set to open flat on Tuesday despite a positive lead from offshore markets during the overnight session. Wall Street finished stronger and the benchmark crude oil contract settled above $US81 a barrel.

At 0656 AEST on the Sydney Futures Exchange, the September share price index contract was at 4,565 points, an increase of only six points.

In economics news today, the Dun and Bradstreet business expectations survey for the three months to December is slated for release. A business survey for July is due from National Australia Bank.

In companies news, NAB releases its third quarter trading statement, while annual results are expected from Bradken Ltd and Cochlear Ltd. Reckon Ltd, AACo and Alumina are set to report their first-half results.

In Sydney, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman Graeme Samuel is to address an Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce lunch.

Yesterday, the Australian bourse finished in positive territory amid solid gains in the materials sector, as well as energy and financial stocks.

The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index climbed 28.8 points or 0.63 per cent, to settle at 4,594.9 points. The broader All Ordinaries index ended 29.3 points or 0.64 per cent higher at 4,615.6 points.