SYDNEY, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Australian shares are set to edge higher on Thursday, with energy stocks buoyed by a jump in oil prices and the index following a positive lead from Wall Street.
The local share price index futures YAPcm1 rose 27 points or 0.5 percent. That marks a 19.7-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO close. The benchmark fell 1.4 percent on Wednesday, hitting a two-week low.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 rose 6.77 points, or 0.09 percent, in early trade.
<^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ For a summary of overnight action across global markets, click on
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