Feb 21 (Reuters) - Australian shares are expected to edge higher on Thursday, tracking modest gains on Wall Street, amid weak earnings from consumer and property companies that have raised concerns about the condition of the country's economy.
The local share price index futures YAPcm1 rose 0.1 percent, a 29.5-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO close. The benchmark ended 0.2 percent lower on Wednesday.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 rose 0.5 percent in early trade.