Jan 6 (Reuters) - Stock futures pointed to a lower opening
for Canada's main stock index on Wednesday as concerns over the
Chinese economy resurfaced after it allowed the yuan to weaken
further and a nuclear test by North Korea added to a growing
list of geopolitical worries.
March futures on the S&P TSX index SXFc1 were down 1.33
percent at 7:15 a.m. ET.
Statistics Canada will release trade balance data at 8:30
a.m. ET.
The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index edged
lower on Tuesday as consumer, industrial and materials stocks
weakened, while energy stocks rose despite weaker crude oil
prices.
Dow Jones Industrial Average e-mini futures 1YMc1 were
down 1.52 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET, while S&P 500 e-mini futures
Esc1 were down 1.59 percent and Nasdaq 100 e-mini futures
NQc1 were down 1.8 percent.
TOP STORIES
North Korea said it successfully tested a miniaturised
hydrogen nuclear device, claiming a significant advance in its
strike capability and setting off alarm bells in Japan and South
Korea.
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc (N:VRX) VRX.TO VRX.N
will appoint an interim chief executive to replace Michael
Pearson (L:PSON) who is hospitalized, a source familiar with the matter
told Reuters on Tuesday.
Israeli real estate developer Gazit-Globe GZT.TA said it
sold a 2.9 percent stake in Canadian unit First Capital Realty
FCR.TO for C$117 million ($83 million). AT 7:15 a.m. ET COM/WRAP
Gold futures GCc1 : $1,085.30; +0.64 pct GOL/
US crude CLc1 : $35.01; -2.67 pct O/R
Brent crude LCOc1 : $35.07.85; -3.71 pct O/R
LME 3-month copper CMCU3 : $4,605.50; -0.85 pct
ANALYST RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Dream Unlimited Corp DRM.TO : Canaccord Genuity cuts target
price to C$10 from C$12
Lumenpulse Inc LMP.TO : NBF raises target price to C$20
from C$18; rating "outperform"
U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE ON WEDNESDAY
0815 ADP national employment for Dec: Expected 192,000;
Prior 217,000
0830 International trade mm $ for Nov: Expected -$44.0 bln;
Prior -$43.9 bln
0945 Markit Services PMI Final for Dec: Prior 53.7
0945 Markit Composite Final PMI for Dec: Prior 53.5
1000 Durables ex-defense, R mm for Nov: Prior -1.5 pct
1000 Durable goods, R mm for Nov: Prior 0.0 pct
1000 Factory orders mm for Nov: Expected -0.2 pct; Prior 1.5
pct
1000 Durables ex-transport R mm for Nov: Prior -0.1 pct
1000 Nondef cap ex-air R mm for Nov: Prior -0.4 pct
1000 Factory ex-transport mm for Nov: Prior 0.2 pct
1000 ISM N-Manufacturing PMI for Dec: Expected 56.0; Prior
55.9
1000 ISM N-Manufacturing Business Activity for Dec: Expected
58.4; Prior 58.2
1000 ISM N-Manufacturing Employment Index for Dec: Prior
55.0
1000 ISM N-Manufacturing New Orders Index for Dec: Prior
57.5
1000 ISM N-Manufacturing Price Paid Index for Dec: Prior
50.3
($1= C$1.40)