The Australian market is set for a flat start despite an unexpectedly strong increase in US consumer spending in February.

Wall Street rose slightly, its ninth straight session of gains.

At 0702 AEDT on Thursday, the March share price index futures contract was down two points at 5,097.

In economic news, the Australian Bureau of Statistics will release labour force data for February.

Reserve Bank of Australia assistant governor (Economic) Christopher Kent is scheduled to deliver a speech to an Australian Institute of Builders dinner in Sydney.

In company news, Myer releases its first half financial results and Sigma Pharmaceuticals releases its full year results.

Foxtel chief executive Richard Freudenstein is due to speak at the ASTRA 2013 Conference in Sydney.

The market on Wednesday closed lower, with the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index down 25.5 points to 5,092.4 and the All Ordinaries index down 24.2 points to 5,104.4.