Feb 1 (Reuters) - Futures on Canada's main stock index were lower on Thursday as gold prices slipped after the Federal Reserve struck a hawkish tone on inflation and said it expected "further gradual" rate increases will be warranted.
March futures on the S&P TSX index SXFc1 were down 0.11 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET.
Spot gold XAU was down 0.4 percent at $1,339.71 per ounce, as of 0831 GMT. Fed said on Wednesday inflation is likely to quicken this year, bolstering expectations borrowing costs will continue to climb. Manufacturing PMI data is due at 09:30 a.m. ET ECONCA
Canada's benchmark stock index ended Wednesday a touch lower, at its lowest in eight weeks, as global investor demand for equities ebbed after the Federal Reserve indicated more interest rates hikes were likely. Jones Industrial Average e-mini futures 1YMc1 were down 0.17 percent at 7:20 a.m. ET, while S&P 500 e-mini futures ESc1 were down 0.02 percent and Nasdaq 100 e-mini futures NQc1 were down 0.18 percent. .N
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TOP STORIES TOP/CAN
Suncor Energy Inc SU.TO said on Wednesday that it expected to cut some 400 heavy-equipment operator positions over the next six years as it rolls out a fleet of self-driving trucks at its Canadian oil sand mining operations. recent trade decision allowing Bombardier BBDb.TO to sell its newest jets in the United States without hefty duties will boost airline confidence in the program, but the Canadian planemaker still faces challenges to win over lessors, Air Lease Corp AL.N Chief Executive John Plueger said on Wednesday. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS RCH/CA
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd IVN.TO : CIBC cuts to neutral from outperform
Toronto-Dominion Bank TD.TO : CIBC raises to outperform from neutral
Liquor Stores Na Ltd LIQ.TO : Canaccord Genuity cuts to hold from buy
COMMODITIES AT 7:20 a.m. ET COM/WRAP
Thomson Reuters-Jefferies CRB Index .TRJCRBTR : unchanged
Gold futures GCc1 : $1338.1; fell 0.07 percent GOL/
US crude CLc1 : $65.19; rose 0.71 percent O/R
Brent crude LCOc1 : $69.41; rose 0.75 percent O/R
LME 3-month copper CMCU3 : $7076; fell 0.59 percent MET/L
U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE ON THURSDAY
0730 Challenger layoffs for Jan: Prior 32423
0830 Initial jobless claims: Expected 238000; Prior 233000
0830 Jobless claims 4-week average: Prior 240000
0830 Continued jobless claims: Expected 1.928 mln; Prior 1.937 mln
0830 Labor costs preliminary for Q4: Expected 0.8 pct; Prior -0.2 pct
0830 Productivity preliminary for Q4: Expected 1.0 pct; Prior 3.0 pct
0945 Markit Manufacturing PMI Final for Jan: Prior 55.5
1000 Construction spending mm for Dec: Expected 0.4 pct; Prior 0.8 pct
1000 ISM Manufacturing PMI for Jan: Expected 58.8; Prior 59.7
1000 ISM Manufacturing Prices Paid for Jan: Expected 68; Prior 69
1000 ISM Manufacturing Employment Index for Jan: Expected 57; Prior 57
1000 ISM Manufacturing New Orders Index for Jan: Prior 69.4
1530 Domestic car sales for Jan: Expected 4.30 mln; Prior 4.40 mln
1530 Total vehicle sales for Jan: Expected 17.2 mln; Prior 17.85 mln
1530 Domestic truck sales for Jan: Prior 9.61 mln
1530 All car sales for Jan: Prior 6.09 mln
1530 All truck sales for Jan: Prior 11.76 mln
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Reuters global stocks poll for Canada EQUITYPOLL1 EPOLL/CA
Canadian markets directory CANADA
($1=C$1.23)