Cazaly Resources has entered into a conditional deal to sell its Parker Range project in Western Australia to a major South East Asian investment group.

Mortgage sales fell 3.7 per cent in July, on fears of an interest rate rise and the carbon tax, a major broker says.

Australian shares spurned a positive lead from Wall Street to open slightly lower, after data out overnight suggested the US economy is stalling.

Duet Group has gone into a trading halt ahead of the company selling new securities to investors.

Stocks of interest on the Australian Securities Exchange on Thursday.

The Australian dollar was slightly higher amid speculation the US central bank could embark on another stimulus program to help the flagging US economy.