July 6 (Reuters) - Australian shares are expected to open firm on Thursday, though a slide in oil prices may keep energy stocks under pressure.
The local share price index futures YAPcm1 rose 0.4 percent, or 21 points, to 5,726, a 37.3-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO close.
The benchmark fell 0.4 percent on Wednesday.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 fell 1.5 points to 7,594.16 by 2213 GMT.