Aust stocks set to open lower

The Australian stock market looks set to open lower following falls on international markets.

At 0645 AEDT, the December share price index futures contract was down 21 points at 5,265.

In economic news on Monday, the Reserve Bank of Australia holds its monthly board meeting and makes its interest rate decision.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics releases October's retail trade figures, September quarter balance of payments and international investment position data and September quarter government finance statistics.

No major equities news is expected.

In Australia, the market on Monday closed at a six-week low, with better-than-expected Chinese manufacturing data unable to inspire investors.

HSBC's purchasing managers' index for China, released on Monday, slipped to 50.8 in November from 50.9 in October, on a 100-point scale. Numbers above 50 indicate expansion.

The November reading indicated that China's massive manufacturing sector was improving, albeit marginally.

The reading was also an improvement from a preliminary reading of 50.4 released earlier last month.

The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 40.5 points, or 0.76%, at 5,279.5 points.

The broader All Ordinaries index was down 40.8 points, or 0.77%, at 5,273.5 points.