Aust stocks set to open softer

The Australian stock market looks set to open lower following falls on international markets despite better-than-expected Chinese manufacturing data.

At 0645 AEST, the September share price index futures contract was down 28 points at 5,235.

No major economic news is expected on Tuesday.

In equities news, Kathmandu is expected to post full year results.

In Australia, the market on Monday finished lower, but stemmed some of their losses on the back of strong Chinese economic data.

Banking giant HSBC said its preliminary purchasing managers' index for the manufacturing sector in China hit 51.2 in September, the highest since March when the index stood at 51.6.

It's a further sign that a rebound in the world's second-largest economy is gaining momentum on improving demand.

In Australia, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was 24.2 points, or 0.46%, lower at 5,252.5.

The broader All Ordinaries index was down 25.0 points, or 0.47%, at 5,245.8.