Australian shares flat as BHP declines; retailers gain

Australian shares were broadly flat on Tuesday as falls in iron ore and coal prices weighed on local miners and US futures pointed down, with Wall Street closed for a public holiday.

The S&P/ASX 200 was down 1.9 points, or 0.03 per cent, to 7386.3 at the close, with materials and utilities stocks leading the market lower but healthcare and consumer staples buoying the index.