Futures tied to Canada's main stock index inched up on Thursday as investors awaited key employment data that could influence the Bank of Canada's September interest-rate decision.
The TSX Composite Index strengthened 135.74 to conclude Wednesday at 28,751.36.
The Canadian dollar was down 0.11 cents to 72.38 cents U.S.
Futures gained 0.4% Thursday.
On the macroeconomic scene, Statistics Canada reported Canada's merchandise exports rose 0.9% in July, while imports were down 0.7%. As a result, Canada's merchandise trade deficit with the world narrowed from $6.0 billion in June to $4.9 billion in July.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange nicked higher 1.87 points to 847.07.
ON WALLSTREET
Stock futures were rose slightly on Thursday as traders awaited the release of new U.S. jobs data, following a session in which Alphabet lifted the S&P 500 and NASDAQ Composite.
Futures for the Dow Jones Industrials let go of 10 points to 45,298.
Futures for the S&P 500 gained 10 points, or 0.2%, to 6,467.25
Futures for the NASDAQ advanced 60.75 points to 23,509.50.
The ADP private payrolls report came out this morning. Economists polled by Dow Jones expected private employers added 75,000 jobs in August, down from 104,000 jobs previously. The latest jobless claims data — set for release at 8:30 a.m. — was expected to show a slight uptick.
Those reports come ahead of Friday’s big jobs report, which will determine the near-term outlook for a stock market that has been on edge.
Wall Street is coming off a mixed session. The S&P 500 and the NASDAQ posted solid gains thanks to tech. On the other hand, the blue-chip Dow, known for its greater exposure to the real economy, dipped 0.05%.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 galloped 1.5% Thursday, while in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng retreated 1.1%.
Oil prices fell 66 cents to $64.27 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices sank $25.90 at $3,609.60 U.S. per ounce.
