SYDNEY, June 3 (Reuters) - Australian shares are expected to rise on Friday, following a higher lead from Wall St, after fresh data suggested an upbeat outlook for the U.S. economy and the prices of key commodities firmed.
Overnight, U.S. data showed private employers increased hiring in May and new applications for jobless benefits fell, pushing up shares. prices of oil and some base metals meanwhile rose amid expectations of tightening supply. MET/L
The Australian local share price index futures YAPcm1 advanced 40.0 points to 5,319.0, a 40.1-point premium to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO close in early Friday trading. A day earlier, the benchmark dipped 44.3 points, or 0.8 percent, to 5,278.9.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 held near its recent record peak, down 1.4 points, or 0.02 percent, at 7,001.8 in early trade.
For a summary of overnight action across global markets, double click on AU/CALL
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