Stock futures pointed to a higher opening for markets in Toronto on Friday as oil rose and following the release of Gross Domestic Product and producer and raw material price data.
The S&P/TSX Composite Index lost 1.23 points Thursday to 13,886.43, with June futures up 0.1%.
The Canadian dollar took on 0.19 cents to 79.84 cents U.S. early Friday.
Air Canada reported a first-quarter profit, compared with a loss a year earlier, helped by a decline in fuel costs.
A major CSeries order from Delta Air Lines will likely hold investor attention at Bombardier's annual meeting on Friday, overshadowing discord between the company's founding family and disgruntled shareholders.
First Quantum Minerals Ltd reported a bigger-than-expected quarterly profit as copper production costs fell and production rose in its Zambia operations.
Barclays cut the target price on Constellation Software to $515.00 from $565.00, with an equal-weight rating
Barclays raised the target on Loblaw Companies to $77.00 from $75.00 with an overweight rating.
On the economic slate, Statistics Canada reported that the economy ailed during February. After rising for four consecutive months, real gross domestic product edged down 0.1% during the month.
The output of goods-producing industries declined in February, while the output of service-producing industries was essentially unchanged.
The agency also said its Industrial Product Price Index declined 0.6% in March, weighed by lower prices for motorized and recreational vehicles, while higher prices for energy and petroleum products somewhat compensated.
The Raw Materials Price Index increased 4.5%, led by higher prices for crude energy products.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange sprang ahead 7.18 points Thursday to 665.14
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. stock futures are edging lower, and European and Asian markets are all in red.
Ahead of the opening bell, futures for the Dow Jones Industrials dipped 17 points, or 0.1%, to 17,744, while futures for the S&P 500 slid 3.5 points, or 0.2%, to 2,069. NASDAQ futures fell 16.25 points, or 0.4%, to 4,365.75
Amazon is surging 11% in pre-market trading. The online retailer reported a fourth-straight profitable quarter and stronger than expected retail sales on Thursday.
Apple is edging lower pre-market. Carl Icahn, one of the company's biggest cheerleaders, said Thursday that he has sold his huge position in the stock, largely due to concerns about Apple's ability to navigate the treacherous Chinese market.
Expedia was up more than 10% in the extended trading hours on Thursday after posting a surprise profit in the first quarter.
Exxon, Phillips 66, Chevron, AstraZeneca are among the companies reporting quarterly earnings before the opening bell.
This morning, the Bureau of Economic Analysis posts monthly personal income and spending figures.
The Japanese yen hit an 18-month high against the U.S. dollar Friday, following a disappointing decision by the Bank of Japan to hold fire on more economic stimulus.
Oil prices hiked 33 cents to $46.36 U.S. a barrel
Gold prices leaped $7.96 to $1,274.22 U.S. an ounce.
