Dec 20 (Reuters) - Futures pointed to a higher opening for Canada's main stock index on Thursday as gold prices rose, supported by a slump in global equities and the U.S. dollar after the U.S. Federal Reserve signaled more hikes ahead.
After weeks of market volatility and calls by President Donald Trump for the Federal Reserve to stop raising interest rates, the U.S. central bank instead did it again, and stuck by a plan to keep withdrawing support from an economy it views as strong. futures on the S&P/TSX index SXFc1 were up 0.4 percent at 7:00 a.m. ET.
Canadian wholesale trade data is due at 8:30 a.m. ET
The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX .GSPTSE fell 152.83 points, or 1.06 percent, to 14,264.06 on Wednesday. Jones Industrial Average e-mini futures 1YMc1 were up 0.27 percent at 7:00 a.m. ET, S&P 500 e-mini futures ESc1 0.32 percent and Nasdaq 100 e-mini futures NQc1 0.54 percent. .N
TOP STORIES TOP/CAN
Canada's Bombardier Inc BBDb.TO will deliver its first Global 7500 corporate jet on Thursday, premiering a full-sized bed and optional en-suite shower, in a challenge to U.S. planemaker Gulfstream GD.N at the top of the luxury jet market. Kong has awarded Bowtie Life Insurance, a company backed by Sun Life Financial 's Hong Kong unit SLF.TO , the first online-only insurance licence under the city's "fast-track" scheme. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS RCH/CA
Sun Life Financial Inc SLF.TO : CIBC cuts price target to C$53 from C$55
COMMODITIES AT 7:00 a.m. ET COM/WRAP
Gold futures GCcv1 : $1256.4; +0.3 percent GOL/
US crude CLc1 : $46.49; -3.49 percent O/R
Brent crude LCOc1 : $55.29; -3.41 percent O/R
U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE ON THURSDAY
0830 Initial jobless claims : Expected 216,000; Prior 206,000
0830 Jobless claims 4-week average : Prior 224,750
0830 Continued jobless claims : Expected 1.665 mln; Prior 1.661 mln
0830 Philly Fed Business Index for Dec: Expected 15; Prior 12.9
0830 Philly Fed 6M Index for Dec: Prior 27.2
0830 Philly Fed Capex Index for Dec: Prior 36.1
0830 Philly Fed Employment for Dec: Prior 16.3
0830 Philly Fed Prices Paid for Dec: Prior 39.3
0830 Philly Fed New Orders for Dec: Prior 9.1
1000 Leading index change mm for Nov: Expected 0.0 pct; Prior 0.1 pct
FOR CANADIAN MARKETS NEWS, CLICK ON CODES:
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$1.35)