Markets in Toronto were looking for a repeat of the strong session Thursday to close out the week and a strong month of February
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 26.16 points to end the session Thursday at 14,214.74
The Canadian dollar inched forward 0.06 cents U.S. early Friday to 89.97 cents U.S.
On the economic slate, Statistics Canada told this morning that real gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 0.7% in the fourth quarter, the same increase as in the third quarter. On a monthly basis, real GDP fell 0.5% in December.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange gained 11.11 points Thursday to 1,019.27.
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. stock futures were little changed ahead of the opening bell.
Ahead of the opening bell, futures for the Dow Jones Industrials faded six points to 16,266. Futures for the S&P 500 dipped 1.60 points to 1,852.70, and futures for the NASDAQ fell two points at 3,699.50.
Investors will have just a few earnings to digest Friday. 3-D printing company 3D Systems will report earnings before the bell.
Best Buy shares bumped higher after the electronics retailer swung to a profit.
Shares of United Airlines slid after the airline said it had to cancel 22,000 flights during the first two months of the year because of the weather, prompting a profit warning.
Investors were waiting for the government's second estimate of fourth-quarter GDP due this morning. Any major revision could influence market sentiment.
Also this morning, the University of Michigan will release its February consumer sentiment index.
European markets dropped in morning trading, though the movements were relatively muted.
Asian stock markets were mixed. China's currency was grabbing headlines as it continued its sharp move downwards versus the U.S. dollar.
Oil prices sank 12 cents to $102.28 U.S. a barrel
Gold prices dipped 30 cents to $1,331.50 U.S. an ounce.
