SYDNEY, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Australian shares are likely to have a firm start on Tuesday, taking the lead from a rally on Wall Street on rising commodity shares and news of a mega deal by Berkshire.
Australia's share price index futures rose 0.7 percent to 5,481, a 28.2-point discount to the close of the underlying S&P/ASX200 index on Monday. The benchmark gained 0.6 percent in the previous session.
Cochlear COH.AX , Transurban TCL.AX and Wotif are due to release earnings on Tuesday.
New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index .NZ50 was steady at 5,865.5 in early trade. The index closed a touch lower on Monday.