Futures tracking Canada's blue-chip stocks on Friday edged higher as investors digested a key U.S. jobs report and domestic employment data, while weighing largely positive corporate earnings.
The TSX slid 10.11 points to conclude Thursday at 36,136.31.
September futures progressed 0.4% early Friday.
The Canadian dollar eked lower 0.02 cents to 71.34 cents U.S.
In earnings, Lundin Gold posted a rise in second-quarter revenue, while insurer Sun Life Financial reported higher quarterly profit on strength in its Asia and domestic business.
Markets await quarterly results from Pembina Pipeline and Fiera Capital, among other companies, on Friday.
On the trade front, the U.S. and Canada had "constructive" trade talks in Washington on Thursday, said Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc.
Separately, the world's largest potash producer Nutrien and The Mosaic Company face challenges as farmers cut back on fertilizer due to high prices, the companies said in earnings discussions this week.
On the economic front, Statistics Canada reported employment increased by 75,000 (+0.4%) in July. The unemployment rate declined 0.1 percentage points to 6.4%
Later on this morning (about 10 a.m.), the IVEY PMI will be released for July.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange gained 2.95 points Thursday to 926.78
ON WALLSTREET
Stock futures rose on Friday as traders awaited the release of the July jobs report.
Futures for the Dow picked up 47 points, or 0.1%, to 54,060.
Futures for the S&P 500 gained 17.25 points, or 0.3%, to 7,752.
Futures for the NASDAQ Composite popped 153.50 points, or 0.5%, to 29,643,50.
Airbnb shares rallied 7% in premarket trading after the vacation rental company posted a beat on the top and bottom lines. Cloudflare surged 16% in premarket after the cloud cybersecurity company issued a solid full-year and current-quarter outlook.
In spite of the U.S. pullback, the market outlook has brightened on many parts of the Street this week. Investors are hopeful that a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz will eventually bring down oil prices and curb inflation expectations.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 dipped 0.1% Friday, while in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng gained 0.5%.
Oil prices sank 42 cents to $76.87 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices surged $81.70 to $4,381.30 U.S an ounce.
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