Feb 22 (Reuters) - Futures pointed to a higher opening for Canada's main stock index on Friday on hopes that Washington and Beijing are on course to resolve their trade dispute.
Top U.S. and Chinese trade negotiators haggled on Thursday over the details of a set of agreements, just one week before a Washington-imposed deadline expires and triggers higher U.S. tariffs. prices received a boost from ongoing OPEC-led production cuts. futures on the S&P/TSX index SXFc1 were up 0.22 percent at 7:00 a.m. ET.
Retail sales and budget balance numbers are due at 08:30 a.m. ET and 11:00 a.m. ET, respectively.
The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE closed 30.38 points, or 0.19 percent, down at 16,000.86 on Thursday. Jones Industrial Average e-mini futures 1YMc1 were up 0.46 percent at 7:00 a.m. ET, while S&P 500 e-mini futures ESc1 rose 0.4 percent and Nasdaq 100 e-mini futures NQc1 edged up 0.57 percent. .N
TOP STORIES TOP/CAN
Barrick Gold Corp ABX.TO is considering a hostile bid for Newmont Mining Corp (NYSE:NEM) NEM.N for about $19 billion in stock, in what would potentially be one of the largest-ever mining deals, the country's Globe and Mail newspaper reported. Bank of Canada RY.TO reported a 7 percent rise in earnings in the first quarter, with growth in personal and commercial banking partially offset by lower earnings at its capital markets division. International Inc MG.TO MGA.N beat analysts' estimates for quarterly profit as the auto parts maker assembled more vehicles, benefiting from new launches by car makers Jaguar Land Rover and Daimler AG DAIGn.DE . RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS RCH/CA
Altus Group Ltd AIF.TO : CIBC cuts to underperformer from neutral.
Finning International Inc FTT.TO : Canaccord Genuity cuts price target to C$29 from C$33.
Loblaw Companies Ltd L.TO : CIBC raises price target to C$76 from C$70.
COMMODITIES AT 7:00 a.m. ET COM/WRAP
Gold futures GCc2 : $1,321.9; -0.2 pct GOL/
US crude CLc1 : $57.46; +0.88 pct O/R
Brent crude LCOc1 : $67.50; +0.64 pct O/R
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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$1.32)