The Toronto stock market is hoping to improve on the momentum created after Thursday’s hike, its biggest in seven weeks, amid employment figures on the rise.
The S&P/TSX composite index pointed up 153.71 points, or 1.1%, to end Thursday at 13,713.40
The Canadian dollar inched up 0.07 cents U.S. early Friday to 90.39 cents U.S.
On matters economic, figures released by Statistics Canada revealed that 29,000 jobs were created last month – mostly full-time -- and that the unemployment rate dipped two-10ths of a percentage point to stand at 7%.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange improved 10.30 points Thursday to 952.80
ON WALLSTREET
Investors are hoping to keep the momentum going after a Thursday's strong performance, and were relieved to learn the mood wouldn’t be spoiled by any signs of weakness in Friday's U.S. jobs report.
Ahead of the opening bell, futures for the Dow Jones Industrials bolted 31 points, or 0.2%, to 15,580. Futures for the S&P 500 gained 7.10 points, or 0.4%, to 1,773.70, and futures for the NASDAQ added 21.75 points, or 0.6%, to 3,509.
LinkedIn shares sank in pre-market trading after the professional networking site reported issued disappointing guidance.
News Corp shares rose following quarterly earnings that beat expectations.
Shares of Outerwall Inc., which produces Redbox and Coinstar dispensers, surged nearly 10% on news that the company plans to buy back $350 million worth of stock.
Shares rose for ArcelorMittal after the steel and mining company reported a narrower-than-expected quarterly loss.
European markets were mostly higher in morning trading.
Asian markets ended the week with gains. The Nikkei 225 in Japan was a standout performer, advancing by 2.2% Friday. The index is on the rebound after losing 11.2% since the beginning of 2014.
Economically speaking, the U.S. economy added 113,000 jobs in January, dropping the jobless rate south of the border to 6.6%.
Then at 3 p.m., the U.S. Federal Reserve is scheduled to release its monthly report on consumer credit.
Oil prices dipped 29 cents to $97.55 U.S. a barrel
Gold prices gained $4.60 to $1,261.80 U.S. an ounce.
