Stock futures pointed to a slightly higher opening for equities in Toronto, as investors began to digest inflation and retail sales numbers.
The S&P/TSX composite index shot ahead 75.4 points to close Thursday at 13,475.37
The Canadian dollar faded 0.17 cents to 75.12 cents U.S. early Friday
On matters economic, Statistics Canada reported this morning that the Consumer Price Index gathered 1.0% in the 12 months to October, matching the increase in September. Monthly, the Consumer Price Index rose 0.2% in October, following a 0.2% decrease in September.
Meantime, retail sales dipped 0.5% in September, to $43.3 billion, after four months of rises. Sales were down in eight of 11 sub-sectors, representing 60% of retail trade.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange dipped 1.77 points Thursday to 519.01.
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. stock futures are furtively making their way Friday above the levels at which they closed on Thursday.
Ahead of the opening bell, futures for the Dow Jones gained 78 points, or 0.4%, to 17,785, futures for the S&P 500 picked up 7.25 points, or 0.4%, to 2,086.50, and futures for the NASDAQ strengthened 12.5 points, or 0.3%, to 4,672.50.
Shares in Nike moved higher 5% pre-market after the company announced it was set to hike its dividend, buy back another $12 billion U.S. in shares and split its stock two-for-one.
Retail chains Foot Locker and Abercrombie & Fitch are to report ahead of the open.
Shares in Pfizer are also improving 1% pre-market after the U.S. Treasury announced new measures that could derail the company from pursuing a massive takeover deal with Irish-based Allergan. Washington has opposed U.S. companies that pursue foreign takeovers to avoid U.S. taxes.
The European currency plunged Friday as European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said the bank was ready to take steps to boost inflation. The euro fell by about 0.5% versus the U.S. dollar before recovering a bit. It's down by about 5% over the past three months.
European markets also dipped into the red in early trading but some key indexes have now bounced back.
Oil prices retreated 44 cents to $40.10 U.S. a barrel
Gold prices gained $2.32 to $1,084.53 U.S. an ounce.
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