Aug 10 - Australian shares were poised to start the week on a firm note as investors remained hopeful of potential passage of a U.S. stimulus bill, even as Victoria recorded its deadliest day from COVID-19 on Sunday.
The local share price index futures YAPcm1 rose 0.70%, a 9.2-point premium to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO close. The benchmark fell 0.62% on Friday.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 rose 0.14% by 2206 GMT.