Stock futures pointed to a higher opening for Canada's main stock index as investors welcomed Greek parliamentary approval of a bailout plan and the Bank of Canada’s decision to cut interest rates
The S&P/TSX composite index moved forward 62.88 points to close at 14,662.28
The Canadian dollar slid 0.2 cents to 77.23cents U.S. early Thursday
The National Energy Board has concluded that Alberta-based Enbridge Inc. is operating safely, despite finding the pipeline operator had violated rules designed to identify threats to the public and protect whistleblowers.
Sun Life Financial said it has been selected as the custodian and record keeper for the University of British Columbia Faculty Pension Plan in a deal involving $2 billion in assets. Under the terms of the deal Sun Life will be the custodian and record keeper for 5,800 plan members.
CIBC cuts price target on Corus Entertainment Inc to $16.50 from $18.50 following the company’s third-quarter earnings that were very weak.
CIBC raised the price target on New Flyer Industries Inc. to $16.50 from $15.75 as the company reported second quarter deliveries that were in line with expectations.
Colabor Group reports second-quarter earnings today, projecting four cents per share
On the economic front, Statistics Canada reported that foreign investors reduced their holdings of Canadian securities by $5.4 billion in May, led by a divestment in equities. Meanwhile, Canadian investors added $5.6 billion of foreign securities to their portfolios, mainly corporate securities.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange slid 2.58 points Wednesday to 642.51
ON WALLSTREET
Markets are looking perky after Greece moved one step closer to securing a massive new bailout, with U.S. futures pushing higher.
Ahead of the opening bell, futures for the Dow Jones Industrials took on 50 points, or 0.3%, to 18,042, futures for the S&P 500 hiked 8.25, or 0.4%, to 2,112.50, and futures for the NASDAQ moved up 19 points, or 0.4%, to 4,555.50
Earnings reports are pouring in today. Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and UnitedHealth post quarterly reports before the market opens. Domino's Pizza and eBay are also expected to report this morning.
Google will deliver its earnings after the close.
The U.S. Labor Department releases weekly unemployment claims data this morning. Recent reports show unemployment claims are increasing, rising from 15-year lows seen earlier this year.
Google, LG and Barbie-manufacturer Mattel are reporting in the afternoon, along with oil field services giant Schlumberger.
Netflix shares are surging 12% pre-market after yesterday's impressive earnings report. The internet video streaming company added 3.3 million new customers last quarter, beating its own projection of 2.5 million.
The Greek parliament backed sweeping economic reforms needed to access a much-needed bailout worth up to $96 billion U.S., after lengthy debate on Wednesday. Fiery protests erupted in Athens ahead of the vote on the measures, which were broadly rejected by the Greek people in a referendum earlier this month.
Now lawmakers in several euro-zone parliaments -- including Germany's on Friday -- must approve the bailout plan.
Asian markets ended with gains. Japan's benchmark Nikkei index added 0.7% and China's Shanghai Composite put on 0.5%.
Oil prices added 27 cents to $51.68 U.S. a barrel
Gold prices settled four dollars at $1,143.40 U.S. an ounce.
