Nov 7 (Reuters) - Australian shares are likely to rise on Thursday, with the heavyweight mining stocks expected to benefit from firmer iron ore prices, although a report on a possible delay in the U.S.-China trade deal could weigh on sentiment.
A senior official of the Trump administration told Reuters a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to sign a long-awaited interim trade deal could be delayed until December, as discussions continue over terms and a venue. local share price index futures YAPcm1 rose 0.4% to 6,658, a 2.2-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO close. The benchmark fell 0.6% on Wednesday.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 edged higher by 1.37 points to 10,760.55 in early trade.