Aug 6 (Reuters) - Australian shares are expected to tick up on Monday, with mining heavyweights BHP BHP.AX and Rio Tinto (LON:RIO) RIO.AX set to gain from a rise in metal prices.
Chinese iron ore futures hit their highest since mid-March on Friday, while copper edged higher amid a trade spat between the United States and China. IRONORE/ MET/L
The local share price index futures YAPcm1 rose 21 points to 6204, a 30.8-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO close. The benchmark fell slightly on Friday.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 was flat in early trade.