Futures for Canada's main stock index rose on Thursday, tracking gains in oil and bullion prices, while hopes of more stimulus in the United States further lifted sentiment.
The TSX gained 60.94 points to close Wednesday at 17,567.42
The Canadian dollar vaulted 0.26 cents to 78.71 cents U.S.
December futures moved ahead 0.3% Thursday.
Transport Canada is set to announce approval of design changes to Boeing's 737 MAX, in a first step toward bringing the aircraft back to the country's skies after a near two-year flight ban.
RBC raised the rating on Athabasca Oil to sector perform from underperform.
RBC cut the rating on Cameco Corp to underperform from sector perform.
Scotiabank cut the rating on Premier Gold Mines to tender from outperform.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange gained 8.79 points, or 1.1%, to 800.03.
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. stock futures rose on Thursday as traders shifted their attention to Washington, looking for clues about the prospects of additional fiscal aid.
Futures for the Dow Jones Industrials jumped 97 points, or 0.3%, at 30,171.
Futures for the S&P 500 took on 17.5 points, or 0.5%, at 3,711.25.
Futures for the NASDAQ Composite leaped 60.75 points, or 0.5%, to 12,731.50.
On Wednesday, congressional leaders closed in on a $900-billion stimulus package that would include direct payments to individuals.
The measure would exclude liability protections for businesses as well as aid to state and local governments. Disagreements over those issues have been a stumbling block in the latest round of negotiations.
Also on Wednesday, the Federal Reserve pledged to do its part by continuing to buy bonds until the economic recovery was completed. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell also said the central bank would increase its bond purchases if the recovery slows down.
On Thursday, investors will brace for the release of weekly jobless claims data and the latest numbers on U.S. housing starts. Those data releases will follow a disappointing retail sales report that kept investor sentiment in check on Wednesday.
The Commerce Department said retail sales fell 1.1% in November. Economists polled by Dow Jones expected a drop of 0.3%.
Overseas, in Japan, the Nikkei 225 increased 0.2% Thursday, while in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index gained 0.8%.
Oil prices gained 21 cents to $48.03 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices spiked $26.30 at $1,885.40 U.S.
