Australian stocks opened flat following a lacklustre day on European markets and Wall Street closed for the July 4 public holiday.
At 1020 AEST on Thursday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 1.9 points, or 0.05 per cent, at 4,170.3, while the broader All Ordinaries index was down 1.6 points, or 0.04 per cent, at 4,212.2.
On the ASX 24, the September share price index futures contract was down four points at 4,138, with 3,884 contracts traded.
Cameron Securities client adviser Adrian Leppinus said the local market had opened flat after very little movement on European markets and Wall Street closed for the public holiday.
"We have very little lead with the US market being closed and the European markets being very flat so the Australian market is certainly lacking a lot of direction and its been showing that in its volumes as well," he said.
"A bit of a quiet start really."
European stock markets were little changed and the euro slipped against the dollar on Wednesday as investors waited for key monetary policy decisions by the European Central Bank and Bank of England.
Markets expect an ECB rate cut on Thursday along with a decision by the BoE to pump out an additional STG50 billion ($A76.78 billion) in stimulus to boost recession-hit Britain.
When trading ended for the day in London, the benchmark FTSE 100 index was essentially unchanged at 5,684.47 points.
US markets were closed for the July 4 Independence Day public holiday. Prior to the close in a holiday-shortened trading session, shares were boosted by reports of strong June sales from the leading US auto makers.
In economic news on Thursday, the Australian Bureau of Statistics is expected to release international trade in goods and services data for May.
The mining giants were lower with BHP Billiton down eight cents to $32.39 and Rio Tinto lost 33 cents to $58.64.
The four majors banks were mixed.
ANZ was up six cents to $22.43, National Australia Bank was down six cents to $23.77, Westpac was down one cent to $21.52 and Commonwealth Bank was 15 cents higher to $53.74.
National turnover was 125 million securities worth $159 million, with 226 stocks up, 214 down and 204 unchanged.
