Australian share market to open lower

THE Australian share market looks set to open lower following a weak overnight performance in the US and Europe.

In Australia, the market on Thursday closed lower.

THE Australian share market looks set to open lower following a weak overnight performance in the US and Europe.

At 0645 AEST on Friday, the share price index was down six points at 5,339.

Locally, in economic news on Friday, the Australian Bureau of Statistics releases labour force data.

In equities news, Woodside Petroleum has an investor briefing day in Sydney while Sydney Airport holds its annual general meeting, also in Sydney.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman Rod Sims is slated to speak at an American Chamber of Commerce in Australia lunch in Melbourne.

In Australia, the market on Thursday closed lower as mining and energy stocks lost ground after the release of flat jobs figures and an increase in the prospect of a US rate hike.

The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index was down 32.9 points, or 0.61 per cent, at 5,323.3 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index was down 34.9 points, or 0.64 per cent, at 5,385.6 points.