SYDNEY, March 31 (Reuters) - Australian shares looked set to open a shade firmer on Thursday as the prospect of slower rate rises in the United States gave a boost to Wall Street, though weakness in the banking sector could limit any bounce.
The local share price index futures YAPcm1 rose 0.8 percent, a 25-point premium to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO close. The benchmark ended Wednesday little changed as persistent pressure on banking stocks offset gains elsewhere.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 rose 0.25 percent in early trade.
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