Aust stocks set to open lower

The Australian stock market looks set to open lower after Wall Street continued its downward trend on mediocre economic news and higher bond yields.

At 0645 AEST, the September share price index futures contract was down 19 points at 5,069.

In economic news on Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of Australia is due to release the minutes of its monthly board meeting.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics releases the International merchandise import figures for July, while the Commonwealth Bank business sales indicator for July is also due out.

In equities news, BHP Billiton (BHP), Arrium (ARI), QBE (QBE), Ansell (ANN), Tassal Group (TGR), Commonwealth Property Office Fund (CPA) and Sonic Healthcare (SHL) are among the companies expected to post full year results, while Oil Search (OSH), Invocare (IVC) and Coca-Cola Amatil (CCL) are slated to release first half results.

The National Australia Bank is scheduled to give its third quarter trading update.

In Australia, the market on Monday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was 1.4 points, or 0.03%, lower at 5,112.5.

The broader All Ordinaries index was up 2.2 points, or 0.04$, at 5,102.3.