A Reuters poll shows that the Reserve Bank of Australia is widely expected to cut its benchmark cash rate two more times this year in an effort to boost growth and inflation. Most of the economists surveyed forecast a rate cut to a record low of 1.00% at its monthly meeting on Tuesday.

The local share price index futures rose 0.3pc or 18 points, a 41.8-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index close. The benchmark slid 0.7pc on Friday.

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