(Corrects paragraph 2 to remove extraneous word "discount")
May 25 (Reuters) - Australian shares are expected to edge higher on Thursday, reflecting a positive sentiment on Wall Street after minutes of the U.S. Federal Reserve's latest meeting showed policymakers view a rate hike coming soon.
The local share price index futures YAPcm1 rose 0.2 percent, or 12 points, to 5,786, a 17-point premium to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO close.
On Wednesday, the benchmark ended 0.2 percent higher.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 was up 2.21 points, or 0.03 percent, at 7,423.99 at 2203 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