By Aditya Soni
Sept 20 (Reuters) - Australian shares are likely to open higher on Wednesday, following gains on Wall Street helped largely by financials, as investors look ahead to the culmination of the U.S. Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting.
The Fed on Wednesday is expected to announce the beginning of a plan to reduce its $4.5-trillion portfolio of assets, and while the U.S. central bank is likely to keep interest rates unchanged, investors will be on the lookout for clues regarding a possible rate rise in December. .N
The local share price index futures YAPcm1 rose 0.23 percent, or 13 points, to 5727, a 13.4-point premium to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO close. The benchmark fell 0.1 percent on Tuesday.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 rose 0.07 percent to 7770.310 by 2205 GMT.