The sharemarket is slightly lower as investors monitor the situation in Crimea following a controversial referendum.
Crimea has voted to join Russia in a referendum rejected by the US and the European Union.
CMC Markets adviser Ric Spooner said it had been a quiet and steady day on the local bourse.
“The opening tone of the week has been cautious, with the market waiting to see what happens in Crimea and although it’s likely that the west is going to impose minor sanctions people would like to make sure that’s the limit of what happens,” Mr Spooner said.
The banking sector weighed on local stocks, while resources stocks were also weaker.
Shares in retailer Woolworths fell 84 cents, or 2.3 per cent, to $35.48.
On the local market, gold miners were the best performers as investor caution causes a rise in the price of the precious metal.
Newcrest Mining was up six cents at $12.16.
Other miners were more subdued, with BHP Billiton down 19 cents at $35.47 and Rio Tinto 22 cents lower at $61.28.
The big four banks were mixed, with Commonwealth Bank down 40 cents at $74.85, National Australia Bank down 13 cents at $34.20, Westpac 11 cents lower at $35.54 and ANZ up 19 cents at $32.06.
The US is to publish data on New York’s manufacturing activity and reports on industrial production and long term securities transactions on Monday night, Australian time.
America’s central bank is also due to announce its federal funds rate and publish economic forecasts for inflation and growth on Wednesday.
Leighton Holdings shed 72 cents at $20.65 as investors worry about the construction giant’s future profits, lower dividends and more than $5 billion in unpaid bills.
KEY FACTS
* At the close on Monday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was 11.8 points, or 0.22 per cent, lower at 5,317.6.
* The broader All Ordinaries index was down 11.9 points, or 0.22 per cent, at 5,335.2.
* The March share price index futures contract was seven points lower at 5,318, with 69,290 contracts traded.
* National turnover was 1.6 billion securities worth $3.3 billion.
