Australian shares were likely to open higher on Friday, with a probable boost from mining stocks due to higher iron ore and gold prices, while energy stocks were poised to rise on stronger oil prices.
The local share price index futures (YAPcm1) rose 0.6%, a 37.5-point premium to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index ASX:XJO close. The benchmark closed flat on Thursday.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index NZX:NZ50G was down 0.1% in early trade.