Aust stocks set to open lower
The Australian stock market looks set to open lower after falls on Wall Street as investors remained cautious over the lack of progress in Washington budget talks.
At 0645 AEST, the September share price index futures contract was down 11 points at 5,265.
In economic news on Thursday, the Australian Bureau of Statistics relases job vacancy figures for August.
No major equities news is expected.
Meanwhile, ANZ Australia chief executive Philip Chronican is slated to speak at an American Chamber of Commerce in Australia event, while Women On Boards releases an evaluation of ASX200 companies' gender diversity practices.
In Australia, the market on Wednesday defied other Asian markets, rising on the back of strength in the energy and consumer goods sector.
The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index added 41.7 points, or 0.8%, to 5,275.9 points.
The broader All Ordinaries index gained 40.6 points, or 0.78%, to 5,270