SYDNEY: The Australian market looks set to open lower after US stocks fell slightly in afternoon trading, with utilities pressured by rate hike expectations.
At 0645 AEDT on Tuesday, the December share price index futures contract was down 16 points at 5,269.
Locally, in economic news on Tuesday, Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens is slated to speak at an Australian Business Economists dinner in Sydney.
Meanwhile, the ANZ-Roy Morgan weekly consumer confidence survey is due out, Roy Morgan launches the State of the Nation report and the Australian Business Economists conference is on in Sydney. In equities news, Harvey Norman, Brickworks and Billabong International have their annual general meetings.
Meanwhile, Treasury Wine Estates managing director Michael Clarke is slated to give a speech at an AICC lunch in Adelaide. In Australia, the market on Monday closed higher as investors continued to gain confidence despite more weakness in the resources sector.
The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 20.3 points, or 0.39 per cent, at 5,276.4 points.
The broader All Ordinaries index rose 21 points, or 0.4 per cent, at 5,326.5 points.