Feb 18 (Reuters) - Stock futures suggested a higher opening
for Canada's main stock index on Thursday as oil prices gained
after Iran welcomed plans to freeze output and an industry
report showed a surprise drop in U.S. inventory last week.
American Petroleum Institute, an industry group, said U.S.
crude stocks unexpectedly fell by 3.3 million barrels last week.
March futures on the S&P TSX index SXFc1 were up 0.66
percent at 7:30 a.m. ET.
Wholesale trade data is due at 8:30 a.m. ET
The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index scored
a six-week high on Wednesday, led by financial and energy stocks
after crude oil prices surged on supply freeze optimism.
Dow Jones Industrial Average e-mini futures 1YMc1 were up
0.42 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET. S&P 500 e-mini futures Esc1 were
up 0.38 percent and Nasdaq 100 e-mini futures NQc1 were up
0.58 percent.
TOP STORIES
Bombardier BBDb.TO is in talks with more potential buyers
including United Airlines UAL.N after winning a lifeline $3.8
billion order for its struggling CSeries jet from Air Canada
AC.TO , its sales chief said on Thursday.
Barrick Gold Corp ABX.N ABX.TO , the world's largest gold
producer, on Wednesday cut its 2016 total gold production
forecast and cost per ounce of the metal amid a continued slump
in prices.
AT 7:15 a.m. ET Gold futures GCc1 : $1,202.00; -0.75 pct
US crude CLc1 : $31.61; +3.10 pct
Brent crude LCOc1 : $35.38; +2.55 pct
LME 3-month copper CMCU3 : $4,567.00; -0.48 pct
ANALYST RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Barrick Gold Corp ABX.TO : Canaccord Genuity raises target
to C$21 from C$20.50; rating "buy"
Bombardier Inc BBDb.TO : SocGen cuts rating to "sell" from
"hold"
U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE ON THURSDAY
0830 Initial jobless claims: Expected 275,000; Prior 269,000
0830 Jobless claims 4-week average: Prior 281,250
0830 Continued jobless claims: Expected 2.250 mln; Prior
2.239 mln
0830 Philly Fed Business Index for Feb: Expected -3.0; Prior
-3.5
0830 Philly Fed 6M Index for Feb: Prior 19.10
0830 Philly Fed Capex Index for Feb: Prior 9.40
0830 Philly Fed Employment for Feb: Prior -1.90
0830 Philly Fed Prices Paid for Feb: Prior -1.10
0830 Philly Fed New Orders for Feb: Prior -1.40
1000 Leading index change mm for Jan: Expected -0.2 pct;
Prior -0.2 pct
($1= C$1.37)