Feb 28 (Reuters) - Futures for Canada's main stock index were little changed on Wednesday even as oil prices edged lower on concerns over softening demand.
Oil prices struggled to stay in positive territory after data showed industrial activity in some of the world's major crude-consuming nations has softened. futures on the S&P TSX index SXFc1 were down 0.01 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET.
Canada's producer prices data, due at 8:30 a.m. ET, is expected to show an increase of 0.5 percent, compared with a fall of 0.1 percent a month ago. main stock index fell on Tuesday as weakness in the prices of gold, silver and oil weighed on shares of mining and energy companies. Jones Industrial Average e-mini futures 1YMc1 were up 0.08 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET, while S&P 500 e-mini futures ESc1 were up 0.06 percent and Nasdaq 100 e-mini futures NQc1 were up 0.1 percent. .N
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TOP STORIES TOP/CAN
Valeant Pharmaceuticals (NYSE:VRX) VRX.N VRX.TO reported a profit in the fourth quarter compared to a year-earlier loss, as it booked a one-time benefit because of new U.S. tax laws. Liberal government tackled long-term growth challenges on Tuesday in a budget aimed at boosting women in the workforce and diversifying trade, while keeping its fiscal powder dry in case of an economic shock like the demise of NAFTA. Bank of Canada LB.TO said it was continuing to review problematic mortgages sold to an unnamed third party last year and may need to repurchase more of the loans. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS RCH/CA
Bank of Montreal BMO.TO : Eight Capital raises target price to C$109 from C$106
Bank of Nova Scotia BNS.TO : RBC raises target price to C$95 from C$92
Power Corporation of Canada POW.TO : CIBC cuts target price to C$33 from C$34
COMMODITIES AT 7:15 a.m. ET COM/WRAP
Gold futures GCc1 : $1319; +0.27 percent GOL/
US crude CLc1 : $62.91; -0.16 percent O/R
Brent crude LCOc1 : $66.48; -0.23 percent O/R
LME 3-month copper CMCU3 : $6997; -0.34 percent MET/L
U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE ON WEDNESDAY
0830 Corporate Profits preliminary for Q4: Prior 5.8 pct
0830 GDP 2nd Estimate for Q4: Expected 2.5 pct; Prior 2.6 pct
0830 GDP sales preliminary for Q4: Expected 3.1 pct; Prior 3.2 pct
0830 GDP cons spending preliminary for Q4: Prior 3.8 pct
0830 GDP deflator preliminary for Q4: Expected 2.4 pct; Prior 2.4 pct
0830 Core PCE prices preliminary for Q4: Expected 1.9 pct; Prior 1.9 pct
0830 PCE prices preliminary for Q4: Expected 2.8 pct; Prior 2.8 pct
0945 Chicago PMI for Feb: Expected 64.2; Prior 65.7
1000 Pending Homes Index for Jan: Prior 110.1
1000 Pending sales change mm for Jan: Expected 0.3 pct; Prior 0.5 pct
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