Australian shares set to rise on miners, NZ ticks up

• Australian shares are likely to rise on Thursday.
• A senior official of the Trump administration told Reuters a meeting between US President Donald Trump.
• he benchmark fell 0.6% on Wednesday.

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 US-China trade deal could weigh on sentiment.

A senior official of the Trump administration told Reuters a meeting between US 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.

The local share price index futures rose 0.4% to 6,658, a 2.2-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index close. The benchmark fell 0.6% on Wednesday.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index edged higher by 1.37 points to 10,760.55 in early trade.