US stocks jumped more than 1pc overnight after China's Commerce Ministry said Beijing and Washington were discussing the next round of face-to-face talks scheduled for September.

The local share price index futures added 0.7pc to 6,528.0, a 20.6-point premium to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index close.

The benchmark inched up 0.1pc on Thursday.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index rose 0.6pc to 10,646.48 in early trade.