Australian shares are likely to inch higher at open on Wednesday, with possible gains in miners outweighing likely losses in energy stocks, while local investors firm bets for a potential rate cut next week by the Reserve Bank of Australia.
The local share price index futures (YAPcm1) edged 0.1% higher, a 31.4-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index 
XJO close. The benchmark ended at a record close on Tuesday, up 1.2%.
New Zealand’s benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index 
NZ50G slipped 0.1% to 12,867.54 points in early trade.