Australian share prices are expected to make a flat start to the New Year this week, with little news to excite investors as the seasonal lull continues, dealers said.
After a record-breaking run this week, the prospects continue to look good for local stocks, especially the key miners enjoying booming commodity prices.
For the week to December 30, the main SP/ASX 200 index closed up 35.7 points or 0.76 percent at 4,763.4. The broader All Ordinaries Index gained 38 points to end at 4,708.8.
The bourse is closed for a public holiday on Monday.
Commsec chief equities economist Craig James said the market would remain subdued. "Investors will have the opportunity of easing gently into the new year with only a few economic indicators listed in the coming week," he said.
James said the highlight of the shortened week would be the release of US non-farm payroll figures on Friday, while the only significant domestic data was housing approval figures due on the same day.
On the companies front, James Packer will begin his first week at the helm of Publishing and Broadcasting Limited (PBL) following the death of hi his father Kerry on December 26 aged 68.