March 29 (Reuters) - Futures pointed to a higher opening for Canada's main stock index on Friday, as oil prices gained in the wake of OPEC-led supply cuts and U.S. sanctions against Iran and Venezuela.
Investors will also focus on key economic indicators scheduled for release later in the day. Statistics Canada is expected to report the country's gross domestic product growth for January and producer prices data for February at 8:30 a.m. ET.
June futures on the S&P/TSX index SXFc1 were up 0.2 percent at 7:10 a.m. ET.
The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX .GSPTSE rose 22.96 points, or 0.14 percent, to close at 16,155.49 on Thursday. Jones Industrial Average e-mini futures 1YMc1 were up 0.42 percent at 7:10.m. ET, while S&P 500 e-mini futures ESc1 edged up 0.41 percent and Nasdaq 100 e-mini futures NQc1 were up 0.45 percent. .N
TOP STORIES TOP/CAN
Canada's BlackBerry Ltd BB.TO reported a fourth-quarter profit compared with a year-ago loss, benefiting from a 71 percent rise in its licensing and IP revenue as it filed for more patents for its technologies. Chrysler Automobiles NV FCHA.MI said on Thursday it will eliminate one shift at its Windsor, Ontario, assembly plant where it builds minivans, resulting in the loss of 1,500 jobs. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS RCH/CA
Cronos Group Inc CRON.TO : Canaccord Genuity cuts to sell from hold
Stars Group Inc TSGI.TO : Desjardins raises to buy from hold
Abacus Health Products Inc ABCS.CD : Eight Capital raises target to C$22 from C$15
COMMODITIES AT 7:00 a.m. ET COM/WRAP
Gold futures GCc2 : $1,293.5; +0.08 percent GOL/
US crude CLc1 : $60.07; +1.3 percent O/R
Brent crude LCOc1 : $68.58; +1.1 percent O/R
U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE ON FRIDAY
0800 Build permits number for Feb: Prior 1.296 mln
0800 Build permits R change mm for Feb: Prior -1.6 pct
0830 Personal income mm for Feb: Expected 0.3 pct; Prior -0.1 pct
0830 Personal consumption real mm for Jan: Prior -0.6 pct
0830 Consumption, adjusted mm for Jan: Expected 0.3 pct; Prior -0.5 pct
0830 Core PCE price index mm for Jan: Expected 0.2 pct; Prior 0.2 pct
0830 Core PCE price index yy for Jan: Expected 1.9 pct; Prior 1.9 pct
0830 PCE price index mm for Jan: Prior 0.1 pct
0830 PCE price index yy for Jan: Prior 1.7 pct
0945 Chicago PMI for Mar: Expected 61.0; Prior 64.7
1000 U Mich Sentiment Final for Mar: Expected 97.8; Prior 97.8
1000 U Mich Conditions Final for Mar: Prior 111.2
1000 U Mich Expectations Final for Mar: Prior 89.2
1000 U Mich 1-year inflation final for Mar: Prior 2.4 pct
1000 U Mich 5-year inflation final for Mar: Prior 2.5 pct
1000 New home sales-units for Feb: Expected 0.620 mln; Prior 0.607 mln
1000 New home sales change mm for Feb: Expected 1.3 pct; Prior -6.9 pct
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