Sept 2 (Reuters) - Stock futures pointed to a flat opening for Canada's main stock index on Friday as investors play it safe ahead of U.S. jobs data, awaiting clues on the next U.S. Federal Reserve rate hike.
The data is due at 8:30 a.m. ET, and a strong report could increase the possibility of a rate hike as soon as this month. trade deficit data for July is also due at 8:30 a.m. ET. The deficit is expected to have contracted slightly. ECONCA
September futures on the S&P TSX index SXFc1 were up 0.08 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET.
Canada's main stock index rose on Thursday, led by gold mining stocks, after weak U.S. manufacturing data tempered expectations for Federal Reserve interest hikes. Jones industrial average e-mini futures 1YMc1 were up 0.12 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET, while S&P 500 e-mini futures ESc1 were up 0.07 percent and Nasdaq 100 e-mini futures NQc1 were up 0.17 percent. .N
(Morning News Call newsletter http://link.reuters.com/nex49s ; The Day Ahead newsletter http://link.reuters.com/mex49s)
TOP STORIES TOP/CAN
Canadian yoga wear retailer Lululemon Athletica Inc LULU.O reported comparable-sales growth that fell short of analyst estimates. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS RCH/CA
Bank of Montreal BMO.TO : CIBC raises target price to C$90.00 from C$88
BRP Inc DOO.TO : RBC raises target price to C$28 from C$27; rating "outperform"
Dollarama Inc DOL.TO : RBC raises target price to C$122 from C$120; rating "outperform"
COMMODITIES AT 7:15 a.m. ET COM/WRAP
Gold futures GCc1 : $1309.2; -0.23 percent GOL/
US crude CLc1 : $43.69; +1.23 percent O/R
Brent crude LCOc1 : $46.07; +1.36 percent O/R
LME 3-month copper CMCU3 : $4629.5; -0.01 percent MET/L
U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE ON FRIDAY
0830 Non-farm payrolls for August: Expected 180,000; Prior 255,000
0830 Private payrolls for August: Expected 178,000; Prior 217,000
0830 Manufacturing payrolls for August: Expected 0; Prior 9,000
0830 Government payrolls for August: Prior 38,000
0830 Unemployment rate for August: Expected 4.8 pct; Prior 4.9 pct
0830 Average earnings mm for August: Expected 0.2 pct; Prior 0.3 pct
0830 Average workweek hours for August: Expected 34.5 hrs; Prior 34.5 hrs
0830 Labor force participation for August: Prior 62.8 pct 0830 U6 underemployment for August: Prior 9.7 pct
0830 International trade mm for July: Expected -$42.7 bln; Prior -$44.5 bln
0945 ISM-New York Index for August: Prior 721.1
0945 ISM NY Biz Conditions for August: Prior 60.7
1000 Durables ex-defense, R mm for July: Prior 3.8 pct
1000 Durable goods, R mm for July: Prior 4.4 pct
1000 Factory orders mm for July: Expected 2.0 pct; Prior -1.5 pct
1000 Durables ex-transport R mm for July: Prior 1.5 pct
1000 Nondefense cap ex-air R mm for July: Prior 1.6 pct
1000 Factory ex-transport mm for July: Prior 0.4 pct
1030 ECRI Weekly Index: Prior 138.1
1030 ECRI weekly annualized: Prior 8.1 pct
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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$1.31)