2335 GMT - Australia's S&P/ASX 200 looks set to open higher despite another soft lead by U.S. equities.

ASX futures are up by 0.5%, suggesting that the benchmark index could build a platform to snap a run of five losses.

That's already its longest losing streak since mid-January.

Ahead of the open, BHP held its annual iron-ore guidance despite a 7% fall in 3Q output.

Santos said oil and natural gas production fell by 7% in the March quarter on bad weather and planned maintenance.

U.S. stocks dropped as investors largely abandoned hopes of interest-rate cuts any time soon. (stuart.condie@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires