Dec 8 (Reuters) - Stock futures pointed to flat opening for Canada's main index on Thursday, a day after the index jumped to a 19-month high, as investors awaited October housing starts data.
Analysts will look at October's new housing price index to see if the government's new mortgage regulations that came into effect in October had any impact on prices, particularly in hot markets such as Toronto. The new housing prices likely added 0.2 percent in October. starts data is due at 8:15 a.m. ET and building permits data, new housing price index is scheduled for release at 8:30 a.m. ET. ECONCA
December futures on the S&P TSX index SXFc1 were down 0.09 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET.
Canada's benchmark stock index rose on Wednesday as gains for sectors that benefit most from stronger economic growth offset a drop in energy shares prompted by lower oil prices. Jones Industrial Average e-mini futures 1YMc1 were up 0.04 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET, while S&P 500 e-mini futures ESc1 were up 0.04 percent and Nasdaq 100 e-mini futures NQc1 were up 0.07 percent. .N
(Morning News Call newsletter http://link.reuters.com/nex49s; The Day Ahead newsletter http://link.reuters.com/mex49s)
TOP STORIES TOP/CAN
Oil producer Cenovus Energy Inc CVE.TO said it planned to increase its 2017 capital budget by about 24 percent. and leisure apparel retailer Lululemon Athletica Inc LULU.O on Wednesday reported quarterly profit that beat analysts' forecasts, helped by higher-than-expected gross margins and sales. oil and gas producer Crescent Point Energy Corp CPG.TO said on Wednesday it will increase its 2017 capital budget 31 percent from this year to C$1.45 billion and boost production by 10 percent. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS RCH/CA
Bank of Montreal BMO.TO : Dundee raises target price to C$95 from C$90
Dollarama Inc DOL.TO : Canaccord Genuity raises price target to C$111 from C$108
Transcontinental TCLa.TO : Canaccord Genuity raises target price to C$20 from C$17
COMMODITIES AT 7:15 a.m. ET COM/WRAP
Gold futures GCc2 : $1,177.2; +0.09 pct GOL/
US crude CLc1 : $50.18; +0.86 pct O/R
Brent crude LCOc1 : $53.44; +0.83 pct O/R
LME 3-month copper CMCU3 : $5,847.50; +1.08 pct MET/L
U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE ON THURSDAY
0830 Initial jobless claims: Expected 258,000; Prior 268,000
0830 Jobless claims 4-week average: Prior 251,500
0830 Continued jobless claims: Expected 2.059 mln; Prior 2.081 mln
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