Aust stocks open stronger

The Australian sharemarket opened more than half a per cent higher, following the lead of international bourses as investors around the world shrugged off concerns over Crimea's vote to secede from Ukraine and join Russia.

At the 10.15am (AEDT) official market open, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index added 31 points, or 0.58%, to 5,348.6 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index rose 29.9 points, or 0.56%, to 5,365.1 points.

An overwhelming 97% of people in Crimea voted to leave Ukraine and join Russia, in a vote that was widely condemned in the West, with the US and the European Union vowing to impose sanctions and bolstering fears of a new Cold War.

n local economic news on Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of Australia releases the minutes of its March board meeting, while the Australian Bureau of Statistics releases the international merchandise imports data.

No major equities news is expected.

In Australia, the market on Monday edged lower as investors monitored the Crimea situation.

The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index dropped 11.8 points, or 0.22%, to 5,317.6.

The broader All Ordinaries index shed 11.9 points, or 0.22%, to 5,335.2.