Investing.com - The Australian stock market is expected to open lower on Monday, with investors closely monitoring elections in the United Kingdom and France.
Australian shareholders will be the first to respond to the results of the French elections' initial round, taking place on Sunday (Monday AEST), and preceding the UK election set for Thursday (Friday AEST).
According to early estimates, the National Rally (RN), has won 34% of the popular vote in the first round of France’s snap two-round general election.
On the home front, Australian investors will be closely monitoring the release of the Reserve Bank's meeting minutes for May on Tuesday. Michele Bullock, the RBA governor, has indicated that the central bank's board considered hiking the interest rate at its previous meeting.
Investors will also be on the lookout for the release of May's retail sales data and building approvals due on Wednesday.
In the bond markets, the Australia 10-Year and 2-year rates stood at 4.409% and 4.163% respectively.