SYDNEY: Australian stocks edged lower by the break Monday as investors awaited the outcome of Greece's critical debt negotiations while many Asian markets were closed for the Lunar New Year holiday.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.22 percent, or 9.3 points, to 4,230.3 while the broader All Ordinaries index was also 0.22 percent, or 9.4 points, lower at 4,293.6, with analysts saying all eyes remained on Greece.
"Investors will continue to monitor the European situation closely, with Greek debt restructuring talks remaining a cliffhanger," said IG Markets' Stan Shamu.
Trade was expected to be muted during the week-long Lunar New Year celebrations, he added, while Sydney will also close on Thursday for the annual Australia Day holiday.
In Wellington the NZX 50 Index was flat, inching up 0.07 percent, or 2.14 points, at 3,278.59 in the afternoon.
Financial markets in Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore and Taipei were closed Monday.
The Australian dollar was fetching 1.0471 US cents, up slightly from the $1.0400 late Friday.
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