The energy index, however, may rise as oil prices climbed overnight after a larger-than-expected decline in US crude stockpiles helped ease worries about weakening oil demand.

The Australian share price index futures fell 0.1pc to 6,463.0, a 37.6-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index close. Miners drove the benchmark's 0.5pc rise on Wednesday.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index rose 0.2pc at 10,649.74 in early trade.