Dec 14 (Reuters) - Stock futures pointed to a slightly lower opening for Canada's main stock index on Thursday, a day after the U.S. Federal Reserve raised interest rates and ahead of key central banks in Europe making their own rate announcements.
The European Central Bank and the Bank of England are due to announce their final policy decisions of the year later in the day, with both expected to keep benchmark rates on hold.
The Fed, after raising rates for the third time this year, kept its outlook unchanged for coming years even as it projected faster economic growth from the Republican tax overhaul plan.
December futures on the S&P TSX index SXFc1 were down 0.09 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET. Among economic reports, new housing price index data is due at 8:30 a.m. ET ECONCA .
Canada's main stock index closed at a record on Wednesday, but well off its session highs as sharp gains for gold miners were offset by losses among energy companies and a fall in grocery retailer Empire Company Ltd EMPa.TO . Jones Industrial Average e-mini futures 1YMc1 were up 0.15 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET on Thursday. S&P 500 e-mini futures ESc1 were up 0.08 percent and Nasdaq 100 e-mini futures NQc1 were up 0.16 percent. .N
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TOP STORIES TOP/CAN
Oil sands company Cenovus Energy Inc CVE.TO said on Thursday it will cut an additional 15 percent of its workforce and lower operating expenses as new chief executive, Alex Pourbaix, works aggressively to cut costs and lower debt. and train maker Bombardier Inc BBDb.TO , in the middle of a five-year plan to turn around its ailing business, on Thursday forecast 2018 revenue that came in well short of analysts' estimates. main anti-pipeline group is trying to rally opposition to the TransCanada Corp 's TRP.TO Keystone XL project's recently approved route through the state, tracking down landowners it says were not given a voice in the regulatory process. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS RCH/CA
Element Fleet Management Corp EFN.TO : CIBC raises rating to "outperformer" from "neutral"
K Bro Linen Inc KBL.TO : National Bank of Canada resumes coverage with "outperform" rating
Stelco Holdings Inc STLC.TO : Credit Suisse (SIX:CSGN) starts coverage with "outperform" rating; C$24 target
COMMODITIES AT 7:15 a.m. ET COM/WRAP
Gold futures GCc1 : $1253.8; +0.67 percent GOL/
US crude CLc1 : $56.32; -0.49 percent O/R
Brent crude LCOc1 : $62.07; -0.59 percent O/R
LME 3-month copper CMCU3 : $6758.5; +0.44 percent MET/L
U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE ON THURSDAY
0830 Import prices mm for Nov: Expected 0.7 pct; Prior 0.2 pct
0830 Export prices mm for Nov: Expected 0.2 pct; Prior 0.0 pct
0830 Initial jobless claims: Expected 239,000; Prior 236,000
0830 Jobless claims 4-week average: Prior 241,500
0830 Continued jobless claims: Expected 1.900 mln; Prior 1.908 mln
0830 Retail sales ex-autos mm for Nov: Expected 0.6 pct; Prior 0.1 pct
0830 Retail sales mm for Nov: Expected 0.3 pct; Prior 0.2 pct
0830 Retail ex gas/autos for Nov: Prior 0.3 pct
0830 Retail control for Nov: Expected 0.3 pct; Prior 0.3 pct
0945 Markit Composite Flash PMI for Dec: Prior 54.5
0945 Markit Manufacturing PMI Flash for Dec: Expected 54.0 ; Prior 53.9
0945 Markit Services PMI Flash for Dec: Expected 55.0; Prior 54.5
1000 Business inventories mm for Oct: Expected -0.1 pct; Prior 0.0 pct
1000 US retail inventory ex auto (R) for Oct: Prior 0.4 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$1.28)