Jan 14 (Reuters) - Australian shares are poised to start the week firmer on Monday, with mining stocks expected to gain on the back of robust commodity prices.
The share price index futures YAPcm1 rose 0.3 percent to 5,743, a 31.6-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO close. The benchmark fell 0.4 percent on Friday.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 was little changed in early trade at 8,963.37.