SHARES are expected to get off to a rocky start on Monday, after stocks on Wall Street and in Europe tumbled on Friday.
Futures data are tipping the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index to lose 79 points at the open after it closed at 5027.8 points on Friday.
"It is certainly not much of a lead-in for our markets," CommSec chief economist Craig James said.
"US economic data actually came in above expectations, but it is jitters about Europe that is causing a degree of concern by investors.
"Once those jitters ease I think investors will settle, but at this stage that is still dominating the focus," Mr James said.
US stocks tumbled on Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 162.79 points, or 1.51 per cent, at 10,620.16.
European bourses suffered a greater percentage fall on Friday, with London's benchmark FTSE 100 index down 3.14 per cent, France's CAC 40 off 4.59 per cent and Germany's DAX tumbling 3.12 per cent.
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Oil prices tumbled to three-month lows due to the eurozone economic concerns and a stronger US dollar.
On Monday the Australian Bureau of Statistics will release lending finance data for March and Myer is due to release its third quarter sales results.
Mr James said investors will also be keeping an eye on statements from the Reserve Bank.
On Tuesday the minutes of the RBA's May 4 monetary policy meeting will be published, and the head of the RBA's Financial Stability Department Luci Ellis will address a conference.
Mr James said the Australian dollar had fallen a little, which was good news for globally-focused companies.
"It is not all negative, but we don't have a lot to start off the week," he said.
"I think it is still the case that we are looking to guidance from abroad."
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