The consensus was that North American stocks would begin Thursday somewhat mixed, as trade figures from abroad looked somewhat discouraging.
The S&P/TSX Composite Index fell by 29.73 points to close Wednesday at 11,675.01, for its sixth straight losing session
The Canadian dollar traded this morning up 0.36 cents to 100.15 cents U.S., back up over parity with its neighbour.
Sun Life Financial Inc. reported this morning that profit rose 56% in the first quarter, spurred by rising stock prices and bond yields. Other companies reporting today include Bombardier Inc., Brookfield Asset Management Inc. and Canadian Tire Corp.
Late yesterday, Cisco Systems shares plunged 9% in after market trading on Wednesday after the company posted solid growth but disappointed on guidance.
The latest Chinese trade data showed both imports and exports falling short of expectations, stoking fears of a global slowdown.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange improved 7.32 points to 1,345.69, while the Nasdaq Canada fell 2.43 points to 379.32.
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. stock index futures improved slightly on Thursday, suggesting that markets will open a titch higher, even as investors continue to worry about Europe and digest the latest Chinese economic data.
Futures on the Dow Jones industrial average moved up 45 points, or 0.4%, to 12,840. S&P 500 futures were eight points, or 0.6%, higher to 1,359, and futures for the tech-heavy Nasdaq Index were ahead 11.50 points, or 0.4%, to 2,630.75.
European stocks were also mixed in morning trading. Britain's FTSE 100 lost 0.1%, while France's CAC 40 fell 0.9%. But the DAX in Germany gained 0.5%, rebounding from earlier declines.
Asian markets ended mixed. The Shanghai Composite closed 0.1% higher, while the Hang Seng in Hong Kong slid 0.5% and Japan's Nikkei edged lower 0.4%.
Gold prices declined for a fourth day, slipping 0.2% to $1,591.20 (U.S.) an ounce. Oil prices fell for a seventh session, losing 73 cents to trade at $96.08 U.S. a barrel
