U.S. stocks were little changed as investors debated whether a three-week rally was warranted and weighed Europe’s efforts to tame its debt crisis.
Australian market preview: The Australian market looks set to open higher.
At 0630 AEDT on Tuesday, the March share price index futures contract was up 12 points at 4,204.
No major economic news is expected on Tuesday.
In equities news, Newcrest Mining and Aquarius Platinum give second quarter reports, GUD Holdings posts its first half results, while Oil Search and Panaust release fourth quarter results.
Stocks to watch early on Tuesday:
AMH - AMCIL LTD - up one cent at 68 cents A loss on income from its trading portfolio dragged down investment firm AMCIL's first-half profit by 2.2 per cent.
ANN - ANSELL LTD - down one cent at $14.96 Gloves and condoms supplier Ansell Ltd has appointed Koreca Industries to distribute Ansell's personal protective equipment products in the Republic of Korea.
EXT - EXTRACT RESOURCES LTD - steady at $8.58 A Chinese nuclear company is a step closer to making a bid for Australian uranium firm Extract Resources after gaining a 30 per cent stake in its biggest shareholder.
MBN - MIRABELA NICKEL LTD - down 8.5 cents at $1.215 Record production in the December quarter has helped Mirabela Nickel meet its 2011 targets, and the company expects higher production in 2012.
ORG - ORIGIN ENERGY LTD - down one cent at $13.55 The Australia-Pacific liquefied natural gas project in Queensland is nearing a positive final investment decision after a sales deal with China's Sinopec was made legally binding.
