Feb 27 (Reuters) - Australian shares are expected to open slightly lower on Monday after declines in iron ore futures and oil prices last week.
The local share price index futures YAPcm1 fell 0.3 percent to 5,703 points, a 36-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO close. The benchmark declined 0.8 percent on Friday.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 rose 0.3 percent in early trade.
Health care services provider Metlifecare Ltd MET.NZ was the biggest percentage gainer, rising 1.8 percent after it reported a 31.3 percent jump in half-year net profit.
For a summary of overnight action across global markets, double click on AU/CALL
For a digest of the day's business stories in Australian newspapers, double click on PRESS/AUB