Aust stocks set to open lower

The Australian stock market looks set to open lower following mixed performances on world markets overnight.

At 0645 AEDT, the December share price index futures contract was down 12 points at 5,371.

In economic news on Wednesday, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is due to release construction work done data for the September quarter.

In equities news, Programmed Maintenance is expected to post first half results while Bank of Queensland, Independence Group, Regional Express Holdings and AWE have annual general meetings scheduled.

In Australia, the market on Tuesday closed higher for the third straight day, driven by gains among the big banks.

The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 4.5 points, or 0.08%, higher at 5,350.6.

The broader All Ordinaries index was up 4.2 points, or 0.08%, at 5,357.0.