The Australian stock market has received a mixed set of leads from overseas markets, with Wall Street's main indices themselves mixed but oil and metals prices higher.

At 0650 AEDT the on the Sydney Futures Exchange, the March share price index contract was eight points lower at 4,465.

In economic news, the National Australia Bank monthly business survey is due, and, late in the day, the Reserve Bank of Australia releases papers scheduled to be delivered on Tuesday at a symposium marking the 50th anniversary of its establishment.

In companies news, Macquarie Group Ltd is expected to post an operational update.

Full year results are due from Australand Property Group, Reckon Ltd and Alumina Ltd, first half results are scheduled from David Jones Ltd, Cochlear Ltd, and Bradken Ltd, and Optus parent Singapore Telecommunications Ltd releases third quarter results.

The Australian share market closed marginally higher on Monday ahead of key earnings reports by heavyweights BHP Billiton Ltd, Rio Tinto Ltd and Commonwealth Bank of Australia Ltd later in the week.

The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index ended up 7.3 points, or 0.16 per cent, at 4,521.4, while the broader All Ordinaries index finished 6.3 points higher, by 0.14 per cent, at 4,538.8.

NEW YORK - US stocks were lower on Monday but trading in a tight range as investors remained wary about the strength of the economic recovery and mounting sovereign debt in Europe.

US stocks have traded erratically in the past four weeks as investors pondered over the sustainability of the global economic recovery.

Concerns have grown that some European countries -- Greece, Portugal and Spain -- may not be able to handle their mounting levels of debt.

Stocks have also been hurt by China's plans to contain economic growth and the Obama administration's proposed rules to restrict trading by large financial institutions.

At 0635 AEDT, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 24.56 points, or 0.25 per cent, at 9,987.67 points.

The broad-market Standard & Poor's 500 index was down 0.42 point, or 0.04 per cent at 1,065.77 points.

The Nasdaq composite was down 2.02 points, or 0.1 per cent, at 2,139.1 points.

LONDON - European stocks closed higher on Monday in choppy trading after sharp falls last week brought on by mounting fears over the ability of European governments to cope with rising debt.

The benchmark FTSE 100 index rose 31.41 points, or 0.62 per cent to end at 5,092.33 points.

FRANKFURT - The DAX 30 gained 50.51 points, or 0.93 per cent to close at 5,484.85 points.

PARIS - The CAC 40 climbed 43.51 points, or 1.22 per cent to 3,607.27 points.

TOKYO - Japanese stocks fell, with the benchmark index finishing below the 10,000-point level for the first time in almost two months as investors worried about a stronger yen and Europe's debt woes.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange's benchmark Nikkei-225 index fell 105.27 points, or 1.05 per cent, to 9,951.82.

It was its lowest close since December 10.

The broader Topix index of all first-section shares ended 8.77 points lower, by 0.98 per cent, at 883.01 points.

The yen's recent strength hit exporters, while worries about the public finances of European nations also kept investors cautious.

Toyota fell 1.05 per cent, extending its recent decline, following reports the company was set to recall the latest model of its popular Prius hybrid this week.

HONG KONG - Hong Kong shares fell as fears over debt problems in Europe weighed on investors for a second successive session.

Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng Index backpedalled 114.19 points, or 0.58 per cent, to end at 19,550.89.

Turnover was $HK59.63 billion ($A8.79 billion).

Investors in Hong Kong and on the mainland remained cautious ahead of the Lunar New Year break and China's January inflation data scheduled to be issued later this week.

WELLINGTON - The New Zealand share market drifted lower after receiving mixed signals from offshore and as investors waited for Telecom to report earnings on Friday.

The benchmark NZX-50 index closed down 11.5 points, or 0.4 per cent, at 3093.5, after starting the day in positive territory.

Turnover was $US80.9 million ($A92.96 million). There were 22 rises and 48 falls among the 107 stocks traded.