Sept 20 (Reuters) - Futures pointed to a higher opening for Canada's main stock index on Thursday, as concerns over an escalating U.S.-China trade war eased further and a bullish oil market.
September futures on the S&P/TSX index SXFc1 were up 0.03 percent at 6:55 a.m. ET.
The oil market stayed bullish following another fall in U.S. crude inventories and on signs that OPEC may not raise production enough to compensate for the loss of Iranian exports hit by U.S. sanctions, even as oil prices steadied. O/R
The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX .GSPTSE fell 46.12 points, or 0.28 percent, to 16,149.92 on Wednesday. Jones Industrial Average e-mini futures 1YMc1 were up 0.11 percent at 6:55 a.m. ET, while S&P 500 e-mini futures ESc1 were up 0.08 percent and Nasdaq 100 e-mini futures NQc1 were up 0.12 percent. .N
TOP STORIES TOP/CAN
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday he wanted to see flexibility from the United States if the two sides are to reach a deal on renewing NAFTA, which Washington insists must be finished by the end of the month. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS RCH/CA
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd CNQ.TO RBC cuts to outperform from top pick
Lucara Diamond Corp LUC.TO Berenberg starts with sell; price target C$1.80
Trican Well Service Ltd TCW.TO RBC cuts to sector perform from outperform
COMMODITIES AT 6:50 a.m. ET COM/WRAP
Gold futures GCc2 : $1,207.7; -0.05 pct GOL/
US crude CLc1 : $71.39; +0.66 pct O/R
Brent crude LCOc1 : $79.85; +0.30 pct O/R
U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE ON THURSDAY
0830 Initial jobless claims : Expected 210,000; Prior 204,000
0830 Jobless claims 4-week average : Prior 208,000
0830 Continued jobless claims : Expected 1.705 mln; Prior 1.696 mln
0830 Philly Fed Business Index for Sep: Expected 17.0; Prior 11.9
0830 Philly Fed 6M Index for Sep: Prior 38.80
0830 Philly Fed Capex Index for Sep: Prior 27.10
0830 Philly Fed Employment for Sep: Prior 14.30
0830 Philly Fed Prices Paid for Sep: Prior 55.00
0830 Philly Fed New Orders for Sep: Prior 9.90
1000 Existing home sales for Aug: Expected 5.35 mln; Prior 5.34 mln
1000 Existing home sales percentage change for Aug: Expected 0.3 pct; Prior -0.7 pct
1000 Leading index change mm for Aug: Expected 0.5 pct; Prior 0.6 pct
FOR CANADIAN MARKETS NEWS, CLICK ON CODES:
TSX market report .TO
Canadian dollar and bonds report CAD/ CA/
Reuters global stocks poll for Canada EQUITYPOLL1 EPOLL/CA
Canadian markets directory CANADA
($1= C$1.28)