The Australian market opens mid-week trade on negative overnight international equities leads, but prices gains for select key commodities, ahead of influential figures out of China.China’s February industrial production, fixed asset investment and retail sales figures are expected 1 pm AEDST. Bank of Japan policy meeting minutes are expected 10.50 am. Locally today, a Westpac - Melbourne Institute monthly consumer sentiment report and Australian Bureau of Statistics January lending figures are due. ASB, CSL, RCR, SIQ and SSM are among several large-cap stocks trading ex-dividend.

Overseas Markets Commentary

US equities markets opened higher overnight but soon headed lower, dragging major European equities indices with them. Reports emerged the US administration was on side ring up to $US60B worth of new tariffs on goods imported from China.Earlier, it was revealed the US president had dismissed the US secretary of state late last week, and that he would be replaced by the CIA director. This was reported to risk the 2015 international agreement to lift sanctions against Iran in association with nuclear activity compliance.