The share market is lower as investors practice caution ahead of the latest economic data from China.

Most sectors of the market were lower, although the big mining companies were higher, despite further falls in the price of iron ore.

CMC Markets sales trader Niall King said local investors had ignored a positive lead from Friday’s session on Wall Street, and were focused on upcoming events closer to home.

“Gains by US markets on Friday have failed to lift local sentiment with investors remaining cagey ahead of trade figures from China,” he said.

The data from Australia’s largest trade partner is due for release later on Monday.

The big banks and the healthcare sector were the biggest weights on the market.

Westpac was down 23.5 cents at $34.525, National Australia Bank was down 14 cents at $34.70, ANZ was down nine cents at $33.25 and Commonwealth Bank was eight cents weaker at $81.22.

CSL had dropped $1.35 to $72.06, Ramsay Health Care had lost 81.5 cents to $51.555 and Cochlear was 76.5 cents weaker at $69.135.

Insurance Australia Group was also a heavy faller, down 36.5 cents at $6.115 after going ex-dividend.

In the resources sector, Rio Tinto was up 19 cents at $61.49, BHP Billiton was up 16 cents at $35.81 and Fortescue Metals was 4.5 cents higher at $3.965.

That was despite another fall in iron ore prices to a new five year low of $83.60 on Friday, which was cited as a main factor in the collapse of junior miner Western Desert Resources.

KEY FACTS

* At 1230 AEST on Monday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 18.5 points, or 0.33 per cent, at 5,580.2 points.

* The broader All Ordinaries index was down 17.5 points, or 0.31 per cent, at 5,581.8 points.

* The September share price index futures contract was down 17 points at 5,577 points, with 16,894 contracts traded.

* National turnover was 1.08 billion securities worth $1.5 billion.