By Soumyajit Saha
July 3 (Reuters) - Australian shares were set to open higher on Friday as a record surge in U.S. payrolls for June raised hopes that a recovery from the coronavirus-led economic downturn was underway, while robust commodity prices are likely to support index heavyweights.
Data showed U.S. nonfarm payrolls jumped by a record 4.8 million in June, which also helped boost oil prices. Meanwhile, iron ore prices strengthened on news of further government financial support in China. IRONORE/
The local share price index futures YAPcm1 rose 0.6%, a 15.3-point premium to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO close. The benchmark rose 1.7% on Thursday.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 rose 0.2% in early trade.