Feb 27 (Reuters) - Canadian stock futures edged lower on Tuesday ahead of the government unveiling its federal budget and U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's first congressional testimony.
Canadian Finance Minister Bill Morneau is expected to unveil a restrained budget, with just enough spending to assuage middle class voters under pressure from rising rates - while keeping his powder dry amid uncertainty over NAFTA. focus will also be on Powell when he faces questions from both houses of the U.S. Congress in a semi-annual testimony starting Tuesday, his first major set piece since he took over from Janet Yellen earlier this month.
Most analysts expect no surprises from Powell regarding his view of U.S. economic growth and rates. However, his appearance comes at a sensitive period for the markets and Powell's language will be scrutinized for any hints on the pace of U.S. interest rate hikes.
March futures on the S&P TSX index SXFc1 were down 0.14 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET. U.S. stock futures also dipped.
Dow e-minis 1YMc1 were down 0.17 percent, while S&P 500 e-minis ESc1 were down 0.19 percent and Nasdaq 100 e-minis NQc1 were down 0.16 percent. .N
Canada's main stock index rose to a three-week high on Monday as gains in the prices of commodities such as gold and silver helped drive up shares of mining companies. News Call newsletter http://tmsnrt.rs/2fwPLTh; The Day Ahead newsletter http://tmsnrt.rs/2ggOmBi)
TOP STORIES TOP/CAN
Bank of Nova Scotia BNS.TO reported first-quarter earnings that were ahead of market expectations, helped by a strong performance at its domestic and international businesses. of Montreal BMO.TO reported first-quarter earnings which were ahead of market expectations, reflecting strong sales growth in Canada and the United States. Airways Corp JBLU.O met with Bombardier Inc BBDb.TO and also had plans to meet with Brazil's Embraer SA EMBR3.SA this month, according to an internal email reviewed by Reuters, in a signal that talks are picking up for the U.S. airline's closely watched sales campaign. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS RCH/CA
Lundin Gold Inc LUG.TO : Eight Capital cuts target price to C$6.90 from C$7.30
George Weston Ltd WN.TO : Barclays (LON:BARC) cuts target price to C$108 from C$113
Prairiesky Royalty Ltd PSK.TO : TD Securities cuts target price to C$33 from C$34
COMMODITIES AT 7:15 a.m. ET COM/WRAP
Gold futures GCc1 : $1331.7; +0.11 percent GOL/
US crude CLc1 : $63.67; -0.38 percent O/R
Brent crude LCOc1 : $67.36; -0.21 percent O/R
LME 3-month copper CMCU3 : $7078; -0.45 percent MET/L
U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE ON TUESDAY
0830 Durable goods for Jan: Expected -2.0 pct; Prior 2.8 pct
0830 Durables Ex-Transport for Jan: Expected 0.4 pct; Prior 0.7 pct
0830 Durables ex-defense mm for Jan: Prior 2.2 pct
0830 Nondefense cap ex-air for Jan: Expected 0.5 pct; Prior -0.6 pct
0830 Advance goods trade balance for Jan: Prior -72.26 bln
0830 Wholesale inventories advanced for Jan: Prior 0.4 pct
0830 US retail inventories advance for Jan: Prior 0.6 pct
0900 Monthly home price mm for Dec: Prior 0.4 pct
0900 Monthly home price yy for Dec: Prior 6.5 pct
0900 Monthly Home Price Index MM for Dec: Prior 256.0
0900 CaseShiller 20 mm SA for Dec: Expected 0.6 pct; Prior 0.7 pct
0900 CaseShiller 20 mm NSA for Dec: Prior 0.2 pct
0900 CaseShiller 20 yy for Dec: Expected 6.3 pct; Prior 6.4 pct
1000 Consumer Confidence for Feb: Expected 126.6 ; Prior 125.4
1000 Rich Fed Composite Index for Feb: Prior 14
1000 Rich Fed, Services Index for Feb: Prior 20
1000 Rich Fed Manufacturing Shipments for Feb: Prior 15
1030 Texas Service Sector Outlook for Feb: Prior 22.2
1030 Dallas Fed Services Revenues for Feb: Prior 12.8
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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$1.27)