News: XEJ Australia shares set for weak start; NZ edges down

Sept 2 (Reuters) - Australian shares are set to open lower on Friday, tracking flat global equities overnight, as all eyes would turn to the upcoming U.S. jobs data for clues as to when the Federal Reserve might raise U.S. interest rates.

U.S. and European stocks ended mostly steady on Thursday after a report showing weakness in U.S. manufacturing last month weighed. [MKTS/GLOB]

Investors would be keeping a close watch on Friday's U.S. employment data, as strong numbers would signal that a rate hike is on cards in the U.S. before year-end.

Weaker crude prices may push energy stocks .AXEJ into their third straight session of losses.

The local share price index futures YAPcm1 fell 0.2 percent, a 21.6-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index (xjo) close. The benchmark finished 0.3 percent lower on Thursday.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index (nz50) edged down 0.05 percent at 2208 GMT.

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For a summary of overnight action across global markets, click 

on [AU/CALL] For a digest of the day's business stories in Australian newspapers, click on [PRESS/AUB]

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