Basic material stocks in the region may see some pressure due to lower metal prices.

The local share price index futures was 0.05 percent, or 3 points, lower at 5,727, a 11.3-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index  close.

The benchmark closed down 0.8 percent in its previous session.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index  was up 11.69 points, or 0.16 percent, to 7,383.45 at 2202 GMT.

For a summary of overnight action across global markets, click on