Baystreet.ca - Futures tied to Canada's main stock index rose on Thursday as crude and metal prices gained, while investors remained on the edge ahead of the U.S. economic data sets.
The TSX Composite Index retreated 1.69 points to finish Wednesday at 23,040.76.
September futures on the S&P/TSX index were up 0.3%.
The Canadian dollar dropped 0.045 cents to 73.83 cents U.S.
In corporate news, Brookfield Asset Management (TSX:BAM) -supported India's Data Infrastructure Trust raised $941 million via rupee bonds to fund the purchase of American Tower Corp (NYSE:AMT)'s (ATC) local assets.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange fell 2.68 points Wednesday to 552.49.
ON WALLSTREET
Stock futures were flat Thursday as Wall Street looks to regain momentum after a rocky start to September. Key labour market data is also on deck this week.
Futures for the Dow Jones Industrials gained 17 points, or 0.1% to 41,068.
Futures for the S&P 500 inched ahead 0.75 points at 5,530.75.
Futures for the NASDAQ slumped 24.75 points, or 0.1%, to 18,937.75.
All three averages are down for the week, with key employment reports looming. On Thursday morning, investors will get to sift through weekly jobless claims data, while the August nonfarm payrolls report is due out Friday.
The employment data could play a key role in the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision later this month. One expert said he still believes the U.S. economy is on track for a “soft landing” and that the market rally should eventually broaden out. However, he added that there is likely to be continued market turbulence in the near term.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 lost another 1.1% Thursday, while in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index fell back 0.1%.
Oil prices climbed 47 cents to $69.67 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices picked up $20.90 to 2,546.90