CANADA STOCKS-TSX futures gain as oil prices rise
March 29 Stock futures pointed to a higher opening for Canada's main stock index on Wednesday as oil prices extended gains.
Disruptions in Libya and views that an OPEC-led output reduction is likely to be extended helped oil prices, despite industry data showing an increase in U.S. crude inventories.
June futures on the S&P TSX index were up 0.08 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET.
Canada's main stock index notched its highest close in three weeks on Tuesday as an oil price rally helped energy stocks and a jump in U.S. consumer confidence boosted global markets.
Dow Jones Industrial Average e-mini futures were down 0.03 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET, while S&P 500 e-mini futures were up 0.01 percent and Nasdaq 100 e-mini futures were up 0.06 percent.
No major economic releases are scheduled in Canada.
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TOP STORIES
The Canadian and Ontario governments plan to team up with a group of businesses to invest about C$200 million ($150 million) to fund an artificial intelligence institute at the University of Toronto, project organizers said on Tuesday.
TransCanada Corp's chief operating officer, Alex Pourbaix, is retiring from the company after 23 years in May, a TransCanada spokesman said on Tuesday.
ANALYST RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Caribbean Utilities: Barclays starts coverage with "underweight" rating; $13 price target
Fortis Inc: Barclays reinstates with "overweight" rating; C$48 price target
Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd: CIBC raises price target to C$11 from C$10.25
COMMODITIES AT 7:15 a.m. ET
Gold futures: $1252.3; -0.26 percent
US crude: $48.6; +0.48 percent
Brent crude: $51.6; +0.53 percent
LME 3-month copper: $5883.5; +0.18 percent
U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE ON WEDNESDAY
10:00 Pending Homes Index for Feb: Prior 106.4
10:00 Pending Sales Change mm for Feb: Expected 2.4 pct; Prior -2.8 pct
FOR CANADIAN MARKETS NEWS, CLICK ON CODES:
TSX market report
Canadian dollar and bonds report
Reuters global stocks poll for Canada
Canadian markets directory ($1= C$1.34) (Reporting by Nikhil Kumar in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva)