March 17 (Reuters) - Stock futures pointed to a flat opening for Canada's main stock index on Friday as investors awaited manufacturing sales data for January.
March futures on the S&P TSX index SXFc1 were up 0.04 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET.
Manufacturing data, due to be released at 8:30 a.m. ET, is expected to show that sales fell by 0.2 percent in January after rising for the previous two months. ECONCA
The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index rose on Thursday, led by gains for financials as bond yields rose, while luxury parka maker Canada Goose Holdings Inc GOOS.TO gained on its stock market debut. Jones Industrial Average e-mini futures 1YMc1 were up 0.1 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET, while S&P 500 e-mini futures ESc1 were up 0.01 percent and Nasdaq 100 e-mini futures NQc1 were up 0.09 percent. .N
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TOP STORIES TOP/CAN
ValueAct Capital raised its stake in Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc (NYSE:VRX) VRX.TO , in a move that could provide a confidence boost to the drug company three days after its largest shareholder sold out of the stock. is committed to keeping the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) as a trilateral accord, Canada's trade minister said on Thursday, in a sign of support for Mexico as it prepares for tough negotiations with the new U.S. administration. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS RCH/CA
Empire Co Ltd EMPa.TO : Barclays (LON:BARC) raises rating to "equal weight" from "underweight"
Transat AT Inc TRZ.TO : CIBC cuts target price to C$5.50 from C$6
COMMODITIES AT 7:15 a.m. ET COM/WRAP
Gold futures GCc1 : $1227.1; rose 0.05 percent GOL/
US crude CLc1 : $49.03; rose 0.57 percent O/R
Brent crude LCOc1 : $51.99; rose 0.48 percent O/R
LME 3-month copper CMCU3 : $5913.5; rose 0.08 percent MET/L
U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE ON FRIDAY
09:15 Industrial production mm for Feb: Expected 0.2 pct; Prior -0.3 pct
09:15 Capacity utilization mm for Feb: Expected 75.5 pct; Prior 75.3 pct
09:15 Manufacturing output mm for Feb: Expected 0.4 pct; Prior 0.2 pct
10:00 Leading index change mm for Feb: Expected 0.4 pct; Prior 0.6 pct
10:00 U Mich Sentiment Preliminary for Mar: Expected 97.0; Prior 95.7
10:00 U Mich Conditions Preliminary for Mar: Expected 111.0; Prior 111.2
10:00 U Mich Expectations Preliminary for Mar: Expected 85.5; Prior 85.7
10:00 U Mich 1 year inflation preliminary for Mar: Prior 2.8 pct
10:00 U Mich 5-year inflation preliminary for Mar: Prior 2.5 pct
10:30 ECRI Weekly Index: Prior 144.9
10:30 ECRI weekly annualized: Prior 9.5 pct
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