Canada's main stock index looked set to open higher on Monday, after data showed that China's export growth climbed to a five-month high above 11%, beating expectations and adding to recent data suggesting an economic growth recovery.
The S&P/TSX composite was up 5.75 points Friday, to wrap up a turbulent week at 12,196.80, with futures forging ahead 0.1% Monday.
The Canadian dollar eked ahead 0.04 cents to 100.06 cents U.S. Monday morning.
Comments by China's two top banking officials playing down the risks of bad debt in the banking system provided the latest upbeat signal from Beijing suggesting seven straight quarters of slowing growth have ended.
Research In Motion Ltd said that it planned to introduce its long-delayed BlackBerry 10 platform and devices on January 30.
The Offshore rig group Seadrill has signed a $1.18-billion, five-year deal with Husky Energy Inc. to provide a newly built harsh environment rig for operations in Canada and Greenland.
Ensign Energy Services Inc. said its third-quarter profit fell 30% as it was hurt by reduced demand for its services in North America and higher costs.
Celtic Exploration Ltd which is being acquired by Exxon Mobil Corp, reported a wider third-quarter loss due to lower natural gas prices.
With government offices closed for Remembrance Day, no macroeconomic figures were released Monday.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange eked up 2.24 points to 1,300.92
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. stock futures were slightly higher Monday, as investors turned their attention to Europe and Greece.
Finance ministers from the 17 euro-zone countries will meet in Brussels later Monday to discuss Greece's economic reforms.
The Dow Jones Industrials futures regained 36 points, or 0.3%, to 12,800 while S&P 500 futures added 4.30 points, or 0.3%, to 1,380, and futures for the tech-rich Nasdaq tacked on 13 points, or 0.5%, to 2,593.50.
Over the weekend, Greece's parliament approved the nation's 2013 budget. The vote was a big step toward unfreezing international bailout funds, even though disagreement among its creditors could push back the timetable for when that aid will resume.
European stocks were mixed in mid-day trading. Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.3%, the DAX in Germany ticked up 0.3% and France's CAC 40 was down 0.2%.
Meanwhile, Japan's economy contracted at an annual rate of 3.5% in the latest quarter, sparking concerns of a sustained regional slowdown. The GDP figures, reported Monday by Japan's Cabinet Office, were worse than economists had expected.
Asian markets ended mixed. Japan's Nikkei 225 lost almost 1%, while the Shanghai Composite added 0.5% and the Hang Seng in Hong Kong ticked up 0.2%.
Back on American shores, Homebuilders DR Horton and Beazer Homes both reported fiscal fourth quarter earnings before the opening bell.
DR Horton shares rose 2.9% in pre-market trading, after it reported quarterly income of 30 cents U.S. per share on revenue of $1.3 billion U.S.
Oil for December delivery lost 43 cents to $85.64 U.S. a barrel.
Gold futures for December delivery gained $6.40 to $1,737.30 U.S. an ounce.
