May 19 (Reuters) - Australian shares are expected to have a subdued start on Friday as political turmoil in the United States raised uncertainty over President Donald Trump's agenda and kept an index of global equity markets near a three-week low. MKTS/GLOB
Basic material stocks in the region may see some pressure due to lower metal prices. IRONORE/ MET/L GOL/
The local share price index futures YAPcm1 was 0.05 percent, or 3 points, lower at 5,727, a 11.3-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO close.
The benchmark closed down 0.8 percent in its previous session.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 was up 11.69 points, or 0.16 percent, to 7,383.45 at 2202 GMT.
For a summary of overnight action across global markets, click on AU/CALL
For a digest of the day's business stories in Australian newspapers, click on PRESS/AUB