Canada's main stock index looked set to open higher on Thursday as investors shifted focus from Portugal and Egypt's political turmoil to a European Central Bank meeting ahead of Friday's U.S. and Canadian jobs data.
The S&P/TSX Composite Index faltered 32.70 points to end Wednesday at 12,145.68. Futures were up 0.2%.
The Canadian dollar faltered 0.37 to 94.81 cents U.S. Thursday
Volumes were expected to be much lighter than normal with the U.S. market closed for the July 4 holiday.
Angle Energy Inc said that it may sell itself as it estimated second-quarter production to be about 10,800 barrels to 10,900 barrels of oil equivalent per day.
National Bank Financial upped the target on Alimentation Couche-Tard to $69 from $62 as a result of rolling forward earnings estimates from FY14/FY15 to FY15.
RBC raised the target price on BCE Inc. to $42 from $40 to reflect the acquisition of Astral Media Inc.
Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda claimed some success for the central bank's aggressive monetary stimulus, saying that the economy is on track to a steady recovery with signs inflation expectations are picking up.
Egypt will swear in an interim leader after a tumultuous 24 hours during which the army ousted President Mohamed Mursi and vast crowds celebrated in Cairo and Alexandria amid clashes that cost 14 lives.
The European Central Bank will leave interest rates unchanged and try to reassure investors rattled by new turmoil in Europe and the U.S. Federal Reserve's plans to begin winding up its stimulus.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 faded 0.3%, while the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong spiked 1.6%, and the Shanghai CSI 300 took on 0.8%.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange gained 4.19 points Wednesday to 881.18
ON WALLSTREET
Markets are closed Thursday in observance of Independence Day.
