Aussie shares are slightly lower at midday following a flat lead from Wall St overnight, as investors mull over economic reports released in the US overnight and the pace of global growth.

The S&P/ASX200 index is down 18 points at 4,425 and on the futures market, the SPI200 is down 28.

To company news: National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB) says it in discussions with AXA Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd (ASX:AXA) in relation to a further extension to its $13.3 billion takeover bid. NAB is hoping to extend the period of negotiations so it can satisfy concerns raised by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Shares in National Australia Bank are down 0.33% at $24.43.

According to Reuters, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and a consortium of TPG and Carlyle are expected to submit final bids for Healthscope Ltd (ASX:HSP). The media outlet reports that the deal to acquire Australia’s second largest hospital owner is anticipated to be worth near US$1.6 billion. In May, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts lodged an indicative bid of $5.80 a share, and TPG and Carlyle lodged a bid of %5.75 a share. Shares in Healthscope down 1.66% at $5.32

Turning now to market indices: The best performing index is the Industrials sector, down 1 point to 3,390. Shares in Qantas are 1.74% higher at $2.34. Shares in Transurban Group and Intoll Group are also higher at noon.

The worst performing index is the Consumer Staples sector, down 43 points to 7,401. Shares in Woolworths dropped 0.52% to $26.83. Shares in Fosters Group and Coca Cola Amitil are also lower at noon.

To New Zealand now and the NZSX50 is down 6 points. Taking a look at the top 4 stocks by turnover: Telecom of New Zealand heads the list with stock down 0.53% at $1.89 followed by; Telstra, Westpac and Contact Energy Ltd.

To gold and the dollar: Gold is trading at US$1,209.85 an ounce and the Aussie dollar is trading at 87.85 US cents.