Canada's main stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Thursday as investors looked ahead to Friday's closely-watched U.S. non-farm payrolls report, as well as employment figures from this side of the border.
The S&P/TSX composite index added 17.70 points to end Wednesday at 13,614.63
The Canadian dollar faded 0.33 cents to 92.07 cents U.S. early Thursday
Jean Coutu Group Inc reported an 11% rise in third-quarter profit, helped by a fall in expenses and a lower tax bill.
Nordion Inc. reported a quarterly profit rebounding from a year-earlier loss that was partly due to a litigation charge.
Agrium Inc .said on Wednesday it will restructure its three divisions into two business units, wholesale and retail, in the first quarter of 2014 as it moves to become more efficient.
Canadian Natural Resources has dropped plans to dispose of its Montney shale-gas property after failing to attract a suitable offer.
Goldcorp said late on Wednesday that its annual gold production could rise up to 18% even as it expects to rein in costs over the next two years expecting to produce between 3.0 and 3.15 million ounces of gold in 2014, an increase of 13 to 18%.
Rogers Communications said Wednesday its Sportsnet channel has signed an eight-year extension to its broadcast deal with Major League Baseball.
Royal Bank of Canada led investment banks in advising on equity issues and mergers and acquisitions in Canada in 2013, but share issues overall rose only slightly in the year and M&A activity fell hard.
Saputo has raised its stake in takeover target Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory Holdings Co to 20.1%, making it the biggest shareholder just ahead of its offer deadline on Friday
Economically speaking, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reported that housing starts in December came in at 195,760 units compared to 196,430 in November.
Moreover, contractors took out $6.8 billion worth of building permits in November, down 6.8% from the month before, while Statistics Canada’s new housing price index was unchanged in the same month, following a 0.1% advance in October.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange gained 6.33 points to close Wednesday at 956.16
ON WALLSTREET
Stocks look set for another cautious session Thursday, with central bank policy and the economy in the spotlight.
Ahead of the opening bell, futures for the Dow Jones Industrials hiked 55 points, or 0.3%, to 16,462. Futures for the S&P 500 took on five points, or 0.3%, to 1,837.50, and futures for the NASDAQ gained 5.75 points, or 0.2%, to 3,570.50.
On the corporate front, Family Dollar shares plunged in pre-market trading after the budget retailer missed estimates on sales and profit, reported a drop in same-store sales, and lowered its guidance for the year.
Shares rose for Costco after it reported an increase in same-store sales.
Aluminum producer Alcoa is up in the afternoon.
Macy's shares surged after the department store operator revealed cost-cutting plans late Wednesday that included laying off of 2,500 workers and closing five stores. The retailer maintained its financial forecasts.
Bed Bath & Beyond shares tumbled after the retailer reported quarterly earnings that missed estimates.
Aluminum producer Alcoa reports results after the bell.
A day after the Federal Reserve released minutes saying it would proceed cautiously in scaling back its massive monetary stimulus, investors will get another update on the health of the U.S. economy with the government's weekly report on initial jobless claims.
European markets were mixed in morning trading. The Bank of England left rates unchanged and maintained its stimulus program.
The European Central Bank also left rates unchanged. ECB President Mario Draghi will hold a press conference this morning to discuss the state of the European economy.
In Japan, the Nikkei dropped Thursday by 1.5%. The index surged by 56.7% in 2013 -- its biggest annual rise in over 40 years
Oil prices gained 54 cents to $92.87 U.S. a barrel
Gold prices hiked $4.90 at $1,230.40 U.S. an ounce.
Related Stories
