UNCERTAINTY dominated the share market in morning trading, with the bourse edging slightly into the green at noon on low volumes.
The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up six points, or 0.12 per cent, to 4,869.1 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index had climbed 7.7 points, or 0.16 per cent, at 4,885.4.
On the Sydney Futures Exchange, the June share price index contract was 12 points higher at 4,891, on volume of 7524 contracts.
CMC Markets' senior dealer Matt Lewis said the market was stuck in a holding pattern that had dominated the last two weeks of trading, with general uncertainty producing a lack of conviction among investors to take long-term positions.
"We're struggling to see movements greater than 10 points positive or negative, and today's no different," Mr Lewis said.
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"The underlying volume is very lacklustre.
"There are a few clouds hanging over the market... and a few negatives, which is why the trading community is not dipping its toes in."
Drivers for the conservative holding pattern included uncertainty over Europe's aid package for Greece and the withdrawal of the US government's stimulus package, scheduled for March 31, he said.
"You've got the China Syndrome so to speak. The main concern is what will those measures be (to slow that economy down).
"Any easing there will have a negative impact on our financial sector and our mining sector."
Macquarie Private Wealth investment adviser, John Milroy, said volumes were slow and there had been some profit-taking.
"Banks are pretty mixed and resource stocks are weaker on the back of some of the overnight metals moves as well," Mr Milroy said.
Australia's major lenders were mixed, with Commonwealth Bank down 20 cents at $56.41, and Westpac losing seven cents at $27.23.
But NAB climbed three cents to $26.78 and ANZ firmed 10 cents to $24.98.
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