Futures for Canada's main stock index inched lower on Wednesday as cautious investors awaited minutes of the U.S. Federal Reserve's last meeting, while weak metal prices weighed on the market.
The TSX Composite Index fell 30.2 points to wind up Tuesday at 24,072.51
December futures eased 0.1% Wednesday.
The Canadian dollar was down 0.1 cents to 73.14 cents U.S.
In corporate news, Japan's Seven & I Holdings received a revised takeover bid of around $47 billion from Alimentation Couche-Tard, compared with $38.5 billion earlier.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange gave back 4.64 points Tuesday to 587.61
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. stock futures fell slightly Wednesday, following a winning session for the major averages.
Futures for the Dow Jones Industrials fell 21 points, or 0.1%, to 42,354.
Futures for the S&P 500 gave up one point to 5,799.56.
Futures for the NASDAQ Composite Index handed back eight points to 20,290.50.
Wall Street is coming off a strong session for the major averages as tech stocks outperformed, and oil prices eased off their highs. The 30-stock Dow gained 126 points, or 0.3%. The S&P 500 rose nearly 1%, while the NASDAQ rallied about 1.5%.
Alphabet shares were down more than 1% as the Department of Justice indicated it was considering a possible Google breakup.
Those moves seem to reflect growing optimism the Federal Reserve can navigate a soft landing, especially after last week’s jobs report showed continued strength in the labor market. Artificial intelligence beneficiaries Nvidia and Broadcom rallied 4% and 3%, respectively.
Earnings season kicks off Friday with the big banks JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo.
On the economic front, investors are anticipating the latest meeting minutes from the Fed on Wednesday, due at 2 p.m. ET. The September consumer price index is to be released Thursday and producer price index reading is due out Friday.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 sprang up 0.9% Wednesday, while in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng dropped 1.4%.
Oil prices faltered 41 cents to $73.16 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices hiked $4.50 to $2,639.90
