Dec 6 (Reuters) - Australian shares are likely to open
slightly higher even as market participants stay cautious
awaiting further developments in the hoped-for interim trade
deal between the United States and China. The local share price index futures rose 0.2%, a
7-point premium to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index close. The benchmark rose 1.2% on Thursday. New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index advanced
0.4% in early trade. (Reporting by Aby Jose Koilparambil in Bengaluru
Editing by Chris Reese)