Toronto's main stock index looked set to open slightly higher before a spate of U.S. data that could bolster hopes of continuing growth in the world's largest economy.
The S&P TSX index progressed 55.80 points to end Thursday at 12,799.91
The Canadian dollar reclaimed 0.29 cents to 98.12 cents U.S. early Friday.
Greece's National Bank said on Friday Fairfax Holdings' interest in taking part in its recapitalization had stalled because the Canadian investment fund wanted certain changes to the terms that were beyond NBG's control.
On the economic slate, statistics released today by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) showed national home sales activity edged back down on a month-over-month basis in February after rising in January. CREA reported that national home sales declined 2.1% from January to February. Actual (not seasonally-adjusted) activity came in 15.8% below levels in February 2012.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange finished negative by 2.75 points Thursday to 1,112.61.
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. investors will be looking to the blue chips to see if it can maintain its record run and close out the week with yet another gain. It would be the Dow's best winning streak since January 1992.
Futures for the Dow Industrials notched upward three points to 14,455. Futures for the S&P 500 faded 0.3 points to 1,555.70, and futures for the NASDAQ gained 4.75 points to 2,804.75.
Trading could be choppy since Friday is the last day for closing out certain options, known as "quadruple witching." That's when four types of contracts expire -- those tied to market index futures, market index options, stock options and stock futures. While many traders try to settle out those contracts ahead of expiration, there is often some volatility on the actual day.
U.S. stocks advanced Thursday, with the Dow hitting yet another record high and the S&P 500 coming within two points of its all-time high.
Bank of America and Morgan Stanley shares rose after hours after the Federal Reserve approved their capital plans, part of a second round of stress tests. Bank of America continued to gain in pre-market trading on Friday, rising 3.6%.
Meanwhile, J.P. Morgan Chase and Goldman Sachs both declined after the Fed approved their capital plans, but with conditions attached. JPMorgan continued to fall in pre-market trading on Friday, slipping 1.6%. Shares in BB&T Corp., one of only two banks to have its capital plans rejected, also fell after hours.
Separately, the Senate accused JP Morgan of intentionally misleading investors about the extent of losses mounting from the so-called London Whale trades, which ultimately led to losses of $6 billion U.S. for the bank. Former chief investment officer Ina Drew and other executives will be testifying before a Senate panel Friday morning.
Economically speaking, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday said the consumer price index rose 0.7% last month. CPI was expected to have risen 0.5%, according to a Briefing.com consensus. Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose 0.2% last month, as expected. On an annual basis, the rate rose to 2%.
European markets were lower in morning trading.
Asian markets ended mixed. Japan's Nikkei extended recent gains after parliament confirmed the appointment of Haruhiko Kuroda as Bank of Japan governor, raising expectations of swift monetary easing. Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell on lingering concerns about local measures to curb runaway real estate prices
Oil prices added 52 cents to $93.55 U.S. a barrel
Gold prices picked up two dollars an ounce to $1,592.70 U.S.
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