June 2 (Reuters) - Stock futures pointed to a higher opening for Canada's main stock index on Friday as strong U.S. economic data eased growth concerns, ahead of a payrolls report due later in the day.
U.S. job growth likely remained strong in May, a further sign of an acceleration in economic activity that would effectively seal the case for an interest rate increase this month despite sluggish wage gains. futures on the S&P TSX index SXFc1 were up 0.10 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET.
Trade balance for April data is due at 8:30 a.m. ET. ECONCA
Canada's main stock index rose on Thursday to a more than one-week high in a broad rally led by energy and financials, while BlackBerry Ltd BB.TO jumped after an influential investment firm said the technology company's stock could double. Jones Industrial Average e-mini futures 1YMc1 were up 0.39 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET. S&P 500 e-mini futures ESc1 were up 0.29 percent and Nasdaq 100 e-mini futures NQc1 were up 0.34 percent. .N
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TOP STORIES TOP/CAN
Canadian apparel maker Canada Goose GOOS.TO , which went public in March, reported a bigger fourth-quarter loss as expenses rose. apparel maker Lululemon Athletica Inc LULU.O on Thursday said it would close most of its money-losing Ivivva girls stores and boost investment in its online business as it reported quarterly profit that beat analysts' forecasts. auto sales hit a record high in May, with General Motors Co (NYSE:GM) GM.N and Ford Motor (NYSE:F) Co F.N on Thursday reporting double-digit increases, fueled by demand for crossovers and light trucks, according to analysts who compile the monthly data. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS RCH/CA
Canadian Western Bank CWB.TO : CIBC raises to "outperformer" from "neutral"
Saputo Inc SAP.TO : Desjardins raises to "buy" from "hold"
BRP Inc DOO.TO : CIBC raises target price to C$42 from C$34
COMMODITIES AT 7:15 a.m. ET COM/WRAP
Gold futures GCc2 : $1,263.9; -0.35 pct GOL/
US crude CLc1 : $47.13; -2.54 pct O/R
Brent crude LCOc1 : $49.35; -2.53 pct O/R
LME 3-month copper CMCU3 : $5,591; -1.89 pct MET/L
U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE ON FRIDAY
08:30 Non-farm payrolls for May: Expected 185,000; Prior 211,000
08:30 Private payrolls for May: Expected 173,000; Prior 194,000
08:30 Manufacturing payrolls for May: Expected 5,000; Prior 6,000
08:30 Government payrolls for May: Prior 17,000
08:30 Unemployment rate for May: Expected 4.4 pct; Prior 4.4 pct
08:30 Average earnings mm for May: Expected 0.2 pct; Prior 0.3 pct
08:30 Average workweek hours for May: Expected 34.4 hrs; Prior 34.4 hrs
08:30 Labor force participation for May: Prior 62.9 pct
08:30 U6 underemployment for May: Prior 8.6 pct
08:30 International trade mm for May: Expected -$46.1 bln; Prior -$43.7 bln
08:30 Goods trade balance (R) for May: Prior -67.55 bln
09:45 ISM-New York Index for May: Prior 738.0
09:45 ISM NY Business Conditions for May: Prior 55.8
10:30 ECRI Weekly Index: Prior 144.1
10:30 ECRI weekly annualized: Prior 5.1 pct
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