Australian investors will be keeping an eye out for Chinese and US economic data this week, as well as any developments in North Korea.
The Australian market is expected to open lower today after falls on Wall Street and in Europe.
The June share price index futures contract is pointing to a five-point fall to 4890.
But CommSec chief economist Craig James said he expected the local market to open as much as 15 to 20 points lower.
However, he anticipates the fall to be less severe than in some overseas markets because local investors have already factored in Friday's weak US labour report for March.
He said the weaker Australian dollar might also cushion the local market's fall because it helped local companies with an overseas focus and attracted more foreign investors.
Mr James said this week's focus would be on the release of Chinese and US economic data and any developments on the Korean peninsula. "I think investors will be looking at places like China and the US," he said.
