Canada's main stock index futures fell on Thursday as investors' coronavirus concerns rose following an increase in the death toll in the United States due to the epidemic.
The TSX Composite Index hiked 355.91 points, or 2.2%, to finish Wednesday at 16,779.53
The Canadian dollar dropped 0.22 cents early Thursday to 74.49 cents U.S.
March futures slumped 1.7% early Thursday.
Canadian Natural Resources missed fourth-quarter profit estimates, as the oil and gas producer took a hit from a fall in oil prices.
Canopy Growth Corp said on Wednesday it plans to close two of its greenhouses in Aldergrove and Delta, British Columbia, cutting about 500 positions.
Royal Bank of Canada said on Wednesday it would cut its prime rate to 3.45% from 3.95% in its first reduction since July 2015, with the country's other lenders expected to follow suit, even as the moves weigh on margins already under pressure.
CIBC raised the rating on Norbord to outperform from neutral
National Bank of Canada cut the rating on Spin Master to sector perform from outperform
CIBC raised the target price on Transalta to $11.00 from $10.00
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange perked 8.59 points, or 1.7%, Wednesday to 525.74.
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. stock futures were sharply lower Thursday morning, following a massive relief rally in the previous session, as markets remained choppy in the face of the fast-spreading coronavirus.
Futures for the Dow Jones Industrials toppled 519 points, or 1.9%, early Thursday to 26,446.
Futures for the S&P 500 dropped 63.25 points, or 2%, at 3,051.50.
Futures for the NASDAQ Composite tumbled 173.75 points, on 2%, to 8,722.75.
Costco Wholesale and H&R Block are among the companies announcing earnings today.
Fears about the coronavirus disrupting the global economy continued to grip Wall Street as countries around the world extended quarantines and travel restrictions. California declared a state of emergency after a coronavirus-related death and 53 confirmed cases in the state.
Overseas, in Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 1.1% Thursday, while in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index picked up 2.1%.
Oil prices regained 28 cents to $47.06 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices gained $9.20 to $1,652.20 U.S. an ounce.
