Aug 24 (Reuters) - Australian shares are likely to edge higher at open on Thursday, supported by gains in material stocks backed by strong prices, while political uncertainties in the United States are expected to weigh on sentiment.
Nickel prices surged to an eight-month high on Wednesday on expectations of strong demand from top consumer China, while zinc touched its highest since August 2007. MET/L
Meanwhile, shares on Wall Street closed lower in the previous session after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to shut down the government if Congress fails to fund a Mexico border wall. .N
The local share price index futures YAPcm1 rose 0.1 percent, or 8 points to 5,704, a 33.2-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO close. The benchmark fell 0.2 percent on Wednesday.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 fell 0.1 percent or 9.36 points to 7,870.1 at 2236 GMT.