Aust stocks to open flat

The Australian stock market looks set to open flat after falls on Wall Street despite strong Chinese economic data.

At 0645 AEST, the September share price index futures contract was unchanged at 5004.

In economic news on Monday, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) releases the lending finance figures for June.

In equities news, Newcrest Mining (NCM), UGL (UGL) and JB Hi-Fi (JBH) are due to post full year results, while GPT Group (GPT) is expected to announce first half results and James Hardie Industries (JHX) is slated to release its first quarter results and hold its annual general meeting.

In Australia, the market on Friday closed slightly lower after being dragged down by the banks despite a late rally.

The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 9.6 points, or 0.19%, at 5,055.2 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index was down 8.3 points, or 0.16%, to 5,038.8 points.