Australia shares expected to fall at the open; NZ falls

Australian shares are set to extend losses on Thursday, tracking sharp losses on Wall Street after minutes from the US Federal Reserve indicated that it may raise interest rates sooner than expected and reduce asset holdings to tame high inflation.

The local share price index futures fell 0.8%, a 145.8-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index close. The benchmark settled 0.3% lower on Wednesday.

Australian shares kick off 2022 higher on Wall Street boost

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index fell 0.2% in early trading.