Canadian stock futures were little changed early Friday as investors digested unemployment data from U.S. and Canada.
The S&P/TSX Composite gained 59.83 points, to close Thursday at 15,586.58.
The Canadian dollar gained 0.21 cents to 75.41 U.S. early Friday
RBC Capital raised the target price West Fraser Timber Co to $50 from $45 to reflect improved operating conditions.
Canaccord Genuity raised the target price on Whitecap Resources Inc. to $14.50 from $13.00, citing that the notes that the company issued provided it with enhanced financial liquidity, and the maturity of 2022 provided greater certainty of access to capital as it is required.
Jean Coutu Group is out with Q3 earnings today, projecting 28 cents per share
On the economic slate, Statistics Canada revealed that employment rose by 54,000, or 0.3%, in December, the result of gains in full-time work. The unemployment rate increased 0.1 percentage points to 6.9%, as more people participated in the labour market.
The agency also reported that Canada's merchandise trade balance with the world recorded its first trade surplus since September 2014, going from a $1- billion deficit in October to a $526-million surplus in November. Exports rose 4.3%, while imports were up 0.7%.
Elsewhere, Western University is out later this morning (10 a.m.) with its Ivey Purchasing Manager’s Index in December.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange leaped 13.72 points, or 1.8%, Thursday to 794.26
ON WALLSTREET
Futures indicated stocks would open lower Friday, as investors took in disappointing employment numbers for December.
Ahead of the opening bell, futures for the Dow Jones Industrials dipped 20 points at 19,801. Futures for the S&P 500 moved lower two points, or 0.1%, to 2,262.25. NASDAQ futures faded 0.75 points at 4,961.25.
The U.S. Labor Department said Friday morning non-farm payroll numbers registered 156,000 last month, compared to expectations of 178,000. The unemployment rate stayed at 4.7%.
Elsewhere on the data front, trade deficit figures are set to come out early Friday morning, with factory orders released at 10:00 a.m. ET.
European bourses were slightly lower, while in Asia, Japanese car makers were under pressure during Friday's trading after President-elect Donald Trump took to Twitter to rebuke Toyota and its plans for a new car plant in Mexico.
Oil prices strengthened 44 cents to $54.20 U.S. a barrel
Gold prices faded $3.40 to $1,177.90 U.S. an ounce.
