Jan 25 (Reuters) - Australian shares are expected to open lower on Thursday, taking their cues from Wall Street, where stocks faltered after comments by U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross hinted at action against China in a trade war.
Nasdaq Composite .IXIC lost ground after the comments by Ross .N .
Material stocks .AXMM are expected to weigh on the main index, following iron ore futures in China, which fell overnight IRONORE/ .
The local share price index futures YAPcm1 fell 0.3 percent or 19 points, a 72.7-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO close. The benchmark rose 0.3 percent on Wednesday.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 was flat in early trade.