April 6 (Reuters) - Australian shares are set to open higher on Monday as a slowdown in the country's growth rate of coronavirus cases is likely to revive risk appetite, even as pressure on commerce and industries persists due to travel and social restrictions.
The local share price index futures YAPcm1 rose 0.9%, a 11.5-point premium to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO close. The benchmark ended 1.7% lower on Friday.
In New Zealand, the benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 fell 0.5% to 9,884.46 in early trade.