Australian shares are expected to open lower despite a positive lead from Wall Street overnight.

The SPI200 futures contract was down 13 points, or 0.21 per cent, at 6,132.0 at 0700 AEDT, suggesting a dip for the benchmark S&P/ASX200 on Tuesday morning.

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.52 per cent, the S&P 500 was up 0.37 per cent and the Nasdaq Composite was up 0.56 per cent.

The Aussie dollar is buying 71.76 US cents from 71.48 US cents on Monday.

Australian shares are expected to open slightly higher after positive leads from overseas at the end of last week.

The SPI200 futures contract was up 8 points, or 0.13 per cent, at 6,138.0 at 0700 AEDT, suggesting a small increase for the benchmark S&P/ASX200 on Monday morning.

US and major European markets closed higher for the ninth consecutive week on Friday.

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.70 per cent, the S&P 500 was up 0.64 per cent and the Nasdaq Composite was up 0.91 per cent.

The Aussie dollar is buying 71.34 US cents from 70.96 US cents on Friday.

Australian shares are expected to open flat after a negative lead from Wall Street and amid concerns about coal exports to China.

The SPI200 futures contract was down 8 points, or 0.13 per cent, at 6,093.0 at 0700 AEDT, suggesting a slight dip for the benchmark S&P/ASX200 on Friday.

On Wall Street overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.25 per cent, the S&P 500 was down 0.20 per cent and the Nasdaq Composite was down 0.14 per cent.

The Australian dollar fell overnight following a media report that a major Chinese port operator was no longer allowing in Australian coal.

A Dalian Port Group official told Reuters that Dalian customs had halted Australian coal imports at five harbours in northern China.

The Aussie dollar is buying 70.80 US cents from 70.90 US cents on Thursday.