July 26 (Reuters) - Stock futures pointed to a higher opening for Canada's main stock index on Wednesday as oil rose above $50, holding near eight-week highs, as data showed U.S. inventories fell sharply last week.
September futures on the S&P TSX index SXFc1 were up 0.18 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET.
Canada's main stock index gained on Tuesday as rallies in the prices of oil and copper boosted shares of companies in its heavyweight energy and mining sectors. Jones Industrial Average e-mini futures 1YMc1 were up 0.11 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 0.11 percent. .N
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TOP STORIES TOP/CAN
Canadian grocer and drugstore chain operator Loblaw Companies Ltd L.TO said on Wednesday its quarterly profit more than doubled, helped in part by higher customer spending during the Easter holiday. National Railway Co CNR.TO reported better-than-expected quarterly profit and revenue on Tuesday, as the railroad moved higher volumes of commodities including Canadian grains and fertilizers. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS RCH/CA
Agt Food And Ingredients Inc AGT.TO : Raymond James cuts price target to C$32 from C$35
First National Financial Corp FN.TO : RBC cuts target price to C$25 from C$27
COMMODITIES AT 7:15 a.m. ET COM/WRAP
Gold futures GCc2 : $1,247; -0.38 pct GOL/
US crude CLc1 : $48.25; +0.77 pct O/R
Brent crude LCOc1 : $50.46; +0.52 pct O/R
LME 3-month copper CMCU3 : $6,275; +0.80 pct MET/L
U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE ON WEDNESDAY
1000 New home sales-units for Jun: Expected 0.615 mln; Prior 0.610 mln
1000 New home sales changes mm for Jun: Expected 1.4 pct; Prior 2.9 pct
1400 Fed funds target rate: Expected 1.125 pct; Prior 0.625 pct
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Canadian markets directory CANADA ($1= C$1.25)