SYDNEY, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Australian shares are set to fall on Thursday, tracking losses on Wall Street, while weak metals and oil prices will likely put pressure on resources and energy-related counters.
The local share price index futures YAPcm1 fell 0.7 percent, a 36-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO close. The benchmark rose 0.2 percent on Wednesday.
Wesfarmers WES.AX Q1 retail sales are due later in the day.
Reserve Bank of Australia assistant governor Malcolm Eddy to speak in Sydney at 9:45 a.m.
New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index .NZ50 was barely changed at 5,920.35 in early trade.
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For a digest of the day's business stories in Australian newspapers, double click on PRESS/AUB