Canada's resource-heavy main stock index looked set for a lower open on Wednesday, as weak euro-zone manufacturing data offset optimism from recent corporate results and signs of strength in U.S factories.
The S&P/TSX Composite Index gained 40.10 points Tuesday to 12,332.79
Among stocks to watch this morning, Barrick Gold said its first-quarter profit rose, driven by a surge in bullion prices, and the world's largest gold miner raised its quarterly dividend 33%
Fortis Inc's quarterly profit rose 4% partly on lower taxes.
Yamana Gold Inc said on Tuesday its quarterly profit rose 15% as revenue was boosted by higher production and stronger gold prices.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange picked up 7.64 points to 1,431.68, while Nasdaq Canada sank 6.45 points to 412.41
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. stock futures retreated, after the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced to the highest level since December 2007, as an industry report showed employers added fewer jobs than economists forecast last month.
Standard & Poor’s 500 Index futures expiring in June slid 0.5% to 1,394 at 8:31 a.m. New York time. Dow futures fell 54 points, to 0.4%, to 13,164 today.
Benchmark crude rose $1.29 to finish at $106.16 U.S. per barrel in New York. That's the highest settlement price since it hit $106 U.S. on March 28. Gold prices retreated towards $1,650 an ounce.
