Futures for Canada's main stock index edged higher on Wednesday, boosted by stronger gold prices, while investors awaited inflation data later in the day for cues on the domestic economy.
The TSX Composite triumphed 101.62 points Tuesday to 21,086.99.
The Canadian dollar eked ahead 0.02 cents to 80.95 cents U.S.
December futures nicked higher 0.1% Wednesday.
Canadian National Railway said on Tuesday Chief Executive Officer Jean-Jacques Ruest will retire at the end of January, following investor demands for his exit after the railroad operator's failed bid for Kansas City Southern.
Canaccord Genuity raised the rating on Blackline Safety to buy from hold.
CIBC resumed coverage on I-80 Gold with an outperform rating, and raised the price target to $5.50 from $4.00
TD Securities raised the target price on Sun Life Financial to $77.00 from $73.00
On the economic calendar, Statistics Canada reported the consumer price index rose 4.4% on a year-over-year basis in September, up from a 4.1% gain in August. On a seasonally-adjusted monthly basis, the CPI rose 0.4% in September.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange jumped 12.57 points Tuesday to 950.38.
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. stock index futures were little changed Wednesday, after the S&P 500 on Tuesday posted its fifth straight winning session as strong earnings numbers lift sentiment.
Futures for the Dow Jones Industrials backed off 16 points, or 0.1%, to 35,307.
Futures for the S&P 500 dipped 1.75 points to 4,509.50.
Futures for the NASDAQ Composite Index gained 7.25 points, or 0.1%, to 15,405.75.
Netflix posted its hotly-anticipated third-quarter earnings report on Tuesday after the market closed, with the streaming giant adding 4.4 million subscribers during the period. Wall Street analysts were expecting 3.84 million additions. However, the shares, which are up 20% in the last three months, were down 2% in premarket trading.
Deutsche Bank downgraded Netflix after the report, saying its stock valuation was hard to justify with revenue growth set to slow next year. The firm also said strong fourth quarter subscriber additions are already baked into the stock.
United Airlines also posted quarterly results after the bell on Tuesday, with the company beating analyst expectations on the top and bottom line amid an ongoing rebound in travel demand. United shares were higher by about 2% in premarket trading.
Biogen shares rose 2% in early morning trading after reporting its quarterly results. The company beat analyst estimates on earnings and revenue and raised its full year guidance.
Ford shares up 2% in premarket trading after Credit Suisse upgraded the auto company on its EV shift and predicted a 30% rally in the stock.
More than 70 S&P 500 components report earnings this week. Verizon will report earnings before the opening bell Wednesday. IBM, Tesla, CSX and Las Vegas Sands are among the names set to report after the market closes.
Overseas, in Japan, the Nikkei 225 inched forward 0.1% Wednesday, while in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng leaping 1.4%.
Oil prices faded 81 cents to $82.15 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices jumped $14.40 to $1,784.90 U.S. an ounce.
