Overnight, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.2% and 0.8%, respectively, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.5%. In the macroeconomy, Australia's building approvals and international trade in goods data are due at 11:30 am Sydney time. In corporate news, Block (ASX:XYZ) reported Thursday second quarter adjusted earnings of $1.02 per share on total net revenue of $6.62 billion, compared with adjusted earnings of $0.62 on total net revenue of $6.05 billion a year earlier. AMP (ASX:AMP) reported Thursday first-half underlying earnings of AU$0.069 per share on revenue of AU$1.43 billion, compared with underlying earnings of AU$0.052 on revenue of AU$1.38 billion a year earlier. Australia's benchmark index rose 0.9%, or 82 points, to close at 9,227.80 on Wednesday.