Aug 31 (Reuters) - Australian stocks are expected to open flat to slightly higher on Wednesday as investors take a pause and wait for further hints on the pace of U.S. interest rate hikes.
Upbeat U.S. consumer spending data has firmed expectations of a U.S. rate hike sometime this year after Fed officials recently said that such a move was possible. Investors would keep a close eye on upcoming U.S. payrolls data for more clues as to when the Fed will make its move. .N MKTS/GLOB
The local share price index futures YAPcm1 rose 0.1 percent, a 13.3-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO close. The benchmark was up 0.17 percent on Tuesday.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 edged 0.07 percent higher at 2231 GMT.
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