Australian shares are likely to open lower on Friday as investors await US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's speech for signals on the central bank's monetary policy.

Two Federal Reserve officials on Thursday said they see no need for an interest rate cut next month, while another said he was "open-minded," highlighting policymakers' divisions over how to respond to signs of a global economic slowdown.

The local share price index futures fell 0.2pc, a 54.8-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index close.

The benchmark rose 0.3pc on Thursday.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index rose 0.03pc to 10,728.55 in early trade.

Copyright Reuters, 2019

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