March 2 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index was set for a lower start on Thursday, a day after scoring its biggest points gain in 10 months, as oil prices slipped following a surge in U.S. crude inventories.
March futures on the S&P TSX index SXFc1 were down 0.11 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET.
Canadian quarterly GDP data is due at 8:30 a.m. ET ECONCA
The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE rallied on Wednesday as its financial services group cheered prospects for a March interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve. Jones Industrial Average e-mini futures 1YMc1 were down 0.04 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET, while S&P 500 e-mini futures ESc1 were down 0.08 percent and Nasdaq 100 e-mini futures NQc1 were down 0.01 percent. .N
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TOP STORIES TOP/CAN
Toronto-Dominion Bank TD.TO reported quarterly earnings ahead of market expectations, helped by a strong performance in both the United States and Canada. Natural Resources Ltd CNQ.TO CNQ.N reported a quarterly profit that blew past analysts' expectations, driven by higher realized prices from North America and low costs. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS RCH/CA
GDI Integrated Facility Services GDI.TO : CIBC raises target price to C$19 from C$17
National Bank of Canada NA.TO : Desjardins raises price target to C$59 from C$56; rating "hold"
Shopify Inc SHOP.TO : National Bank starts coverage with rating "outperform", C$80 target price
COMMODITIES AT 7:15 a.m. ET COM/WRAP
Gold futures GCc1 : $1245.4; -0.28 percent GOL/
US crude CLc1 : $53.37; -0.85 percent O/R
Brent crude LCOc1 : $55.88; -0.85 percent O/R
LME 3-month copper CMCU3 : $6000; -0.27 percent MET/L
U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE ON THURSDAY
08:30 Initial jobless claims: Expected 243,000; Prior 244,000
08:30 Jobless claims 4-week average: Prior 241,000
08:30 Continued jobless claims: Expected 2.065 mln; Prior 2.060 mln
09:45 ISM-New York Index for Feb: Prior 731.3
09:45 ISM New York Business Conditions for Feb: Prior 57.7
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Reuters global stocks poll for Canada EQUITYPOLL1 EPOLL/CA
Canadian markets directory CANADA ($1= C$1.34)