(Reuters) - Canada'a main stock index futures were higher on Thursday as oil prices rose after data showed an unexpected rise in China's exports.
China's exports rose in April for the first time this year as factories raced to make up for lost sales due to the coronavirus pandemic, but a big fall in imports signalled more trouble ahead as the global economy sinks into recession.
June futures on the S&P/TSX index (SXFc1) were up 0.65% at 7:00 a.m. ET.
The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index (GSPTSE) rose 0.13% to 14,830.74 on Wednesday.
April Ivey Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data for Canada is due at 10:00 a.m. ET.
Dow Jones Industrial Average e-mini futures (1YMc1) were up 1.17% at 7:00 a.m. ET, while S&P 500 e-mini futures (ESc1) were up 1.35% and Nasdaq 100 e-mini futures (NQc1) were up 1.35%. (N)
TOP STORIES
Plane and train maker Bombardier Inc (TO:BBDb) missed analysts' estimates for quarterly core profit, hurt by delayed deliveries of its business jets due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and forecast business activity to plummet in the second quarter.
Canadian Tire Corp Ltd (TO:CTCa) on Thursday reported a 0.7% rise in first-quarter comparable sales at its namesake stores, driven by a surge in online sales, even as its stores remained closed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (TO:CNQ) posted a quarterly loss on Thursday from a year-ago profit, hurt by a significant decline in crude oil prices caused by the COVID-19 outbreak and a price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia.
Auto parts maker Magna International Inc (TO:MG) reported a 51% fall in quarterly adjusted profit on Thursday, hurt by a decline in global automobile production due to the coronavirus crisis.
Fertilizer maker Nutrien Ltd (TO:NTR) said on Wednesday it has seen limited impact from the coronavirus outbreak, but cut its annual forecast as oil downturn hit corn demand and potash prices are hard-pressed outside North America.
Manulife Financial Corp (TO:MFC) reported a 34% drop in first-quarter core earnings on Wednesday, missing analyst expectations, on unfavorable market conditions and lower sales in Japan that weighed on earnings from Asia.
Canadian pipeline operator Enbridge Inc (TO:ENB) on Thursday reported a loss for the first quarter compared with a profit a year earlier, hit by nearly C$4 billion in charges related to its investment in DCP Midstream and derivative losses..
ANALYST RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Barrick Gold Corp (TO:ABX): Eight Capital raises target price to C$45 from C$40
Franco-Nevada Corp (TO:FNV): CIBC raises target price to C$220 from C$195
Sun Life Financial Inc (TO:SLF): RBC raises rating to outperform from sector perform
COMMODITIES AT 7:00 a.m. ET
Gold futures
US crude (CLc1): $25.94; +8.13%
Brent crude (LCOc1): $31.23; +5.08%
U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE ON THURSDAY
0830 Initial jobless claims: Expected 3,000,000; Prior 3,839,000
0830 Jobless claims 4-week average: Prior 5,033,250
0830 Continued jobless claims: Expected 19.905 mln; Prior 17.992 mln
0830 Labor costs preliminary for Q1: Expected 4.0%; Prior 0.9%
0830 Productivity preliminary for Q1: Expected -5.5%; Prior 1.2%
1500 Consumer credit for Mar: Expected $15.00 bln; Prior $22.33 bln
(This story corrects to "C$4 billion" from "$4 billion" in the Enbridge Inc item in Top Stories section)