Oct 29 (Reuters) - Australian shares are likely to fall on Thursday as a jump in global cases of the novel coronavirus spooked investors, stoking worries of prolonged restrictions that could damage nascent economic recovery.
The local share price index futures YAPcm1 declined 1.7%, or 103 points by 2122 GMT, a 115.7-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO close. The benchmark rose 0.1% on Wednesday.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 fell 0.9% in early trade.