Feb 11 (Reuters) - Australian shares are likely to tread water on Monday, as Wall Street-inspired gains were offset by scepticism about a U.S.-China trade deal being struck before the March 1 deadline.
Healthcare stocks could likely come under pressure as hearings in the year-long Royal Commission inquiry into the aged-care sector begin in Adelaide on Monday.
The local share price index futures YAPcm1 fell 0.067 percent, or 4 points, a 64.5-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO close. The benchmark fell 21 points to end the session at 6,071.50 on Friday.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 rose 0.02 percent or 1.87 points to 9,178.48 in early trade.