The local share market ended relatively flat today, despite strong gains in early trade. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) closed up 4.8pts or 0.1pct to 4691.1 while the S&P/ASX 200 Index (XJO) firmed by 1.7pts or 0.04pct to 4619.9.

Financial stocks also closed in the red, with shares in the Commonwealth Bank (CBA) lower by 0.9pct to $50.02 and the ANZ (ANZ) off 0.8pct to $23.63.

Miners fared better, BHP Billiton (BHP) was up 0.2pct to $40.82 and Rio Tinto (RIO) rose 1pct to $78.62. Shares in Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) closed higher by 5pct to $6.30.

JB Hi-FI (JBH) indicated to the market today that Christmas trade should be strong, however the retailer's 1Q sales are behind budget. JBH shares closed down 0.7pct to $20.10.

Telstra (TLS) closed steady at $2.65.

The Westpac/Melbourne Institute index of consumer confidence rose by 3.4pct to 117.0 in October. Total lending (business, housing, personal and lease loans) fell by 6.5pct in August, marking the largest monthly fall in 10 month and reversing the previous months gains. In annual terms lending is down 9pct on a year ago.

China recorded a trade surplus of US$16.88 billion in September, below forecasts centred on a result near US$17.75 billion. Exports were up 25.1pct on a year ago (consensus +26pct) and imports were up 24.1pct (consensus +25pct).

The Australian dollar ended the day's trade at US98.51c, £0.622 and €70.58c.

On the market overall, a total of 2.7 billion shares were traded, worth $5.3 billion. 603 were up, 497 were down and 369 were unchanged.

At 5pm AEST on the Sydney Futures Exchange, the Share Price Index (SPI) futures contract was at 4636, up 4pts.

Ahead tonight, the import price index is released in the US. JP Morgan Chase reports quarterly results.