Aust stocks close flat

The Australian sharemarket has closed little changed today as investors wait for a string of data releases set for later in the week, while the upbeat debut of Healthscope was a standout.

At the 4.15pm (AEST) official market close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 edged down 6.1 points, or 0.11%, to 5,577.4 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index slipped 4.3 points, or 0.08%, to 5,569.9 points.

LonSec senior client adviser and economist Michael Heffernan said there was nothing majorly negative or positive driving the market today, with investors waiting for news from the US scheduled for later this week.

"We'll be waiting for the American central bank to decide on what they're doing with quantitative easing and interest rates," Mr Heffernan said.

"The Healthscope listing on a day like today has been a highlight."

Healthscope, Australia's largest IPO in four years, closed 5.24% higher at $2.21.