The local share market has clawed back its losses to close marginally higher ahead of a key inflation readout that could determine whether the Reserve Bank cuts interest rates next month.
After starting the session down as many 54 points and staying in the red for most of the day, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index moved into positive territory in the last 40 minutes of trading to finish Tuesday up 6.9 points, or 0.08 per cent, to 8,704.6.
The broader All Ordinaries gained 3.2 points, or 0.04 per cent, to 8,966.7.
The Australian dollar meanwhile slipped further against its strengthening American counterpart, buying 65.26 US cents, from 65.50 US cents at 5pm on Friday.