The Australian stock market opened slightly lower despite gains on international markets on strong Chinese data and better sentiment on the European economy.
At the 1015 AEST official market open, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index fell 0.3% to 5,049.7 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index declined 0.27% to 5,033.5 points.
Chinese trade data for July showed that exports increased 5.1% year-on-year to $US186.0 billion ($A207 billion), while imports rose 10.9% to $US168.2 billion, revealing some ongoing strength in the Chinese economy.
European Central Bank President Mario Draghi's comments that the European economy appeared to be stabilising and fresh German trade showed a pickup in exports.
In economic news on Friday, the Reserve Bank of Australia releases its Statement on Monetary Policy.
In Australia, the market on Thursday clawed back some of Wednesday's losses due to positive Chinese trade data and a strong profit result from Telstra.
All sectors of the market finished strongly, with the big miners and major banks leading the way.
The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index GAINED 53.5 points, or 1.07%, to 5,064.8 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index ADDED 50.5 points, or 1.01%, to 5,047.1 points.
