Futures Hardly Move Friday


Futures tied to Canada's main stock index were flat on Friday, as a rise in crude prices was countered by losses in metals, while investors awaited domestic economic data later in the day.

The TSX was down 22.07 points Thursday at 24,551.55.

December futures inched up 0.01% Friday.

The Canadian dollar nicked up 0.04 cents to 72.22 cents U.S.

In corporate news, the West African country Mali accused Barrick Gold of failing to abide by commitments made in a recent agreement, though the Canadian miner denied the allegations.

On the economic chart today, Statistics Canada reported retail sales increased 0.4% to $66.6 billion in August. Sales were up in four of nine subsectors and were led by increases at motor vehicle and parts dealers.

Elsewhere, the national housing price index remained unchanged for the second consecutive month in September. Prices were unchanged in 12 of the 27 census metropolitan areas (CMAs) surveyed, up in eight CMAs, and down in the remaining seven.

ON BAYSTREET

The TSX Venture Exchange recovered 8.35 points, or 1.4%, Thursday to 621.07.

ON WALLSTREET

Stock futures rose Friday after the S&P 500 ended a three-day negative streak, while investors look to end a volatile week on a high note.

Futures for the Dow Jones Industrials gathered 87 points, or 0.2%, to 42.692.

Futures for the much broader index gained 17 points, or 0.3% to 5,866.

Futures for the NASDAQ Composite Index spiked 78 points, or 0.4%, to 20,457.25.

L3Harris shares climbed more than 4% after the defense company exceeded Wall Street’s forecasts when reporting third-quarter earnings. Dexcom tumbled more than 5.5% despite beating expectations on both lines.

Those moves follow a mixed day on Wall Street. The NASDAQ Composite joined the S&P 500 in finishing the session higher, with both lifted by Tesla’s post-earnings rally. Shares of the electric vehicle manufacturer notched their best day in more than a decade as investors cheered the firm’s stronger-than-expected profit and CEO Elon Musk’s expectations for vehicle growth next year.

The major indexes are tracking to finish the week with losses, which would snap six-week win streaks for all three. The Dow has fared the worst with a drop of more than 2% as of Thursday’s close, while the S&P 500 fell 0.9% and NASDAQ have shed 0.4%.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 slid 0.6% Friday, while in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng gained 0.5%.

Oil prices climbed 71 cents to $70.90 U.S. a barrel.

Gold prices sagged $10.40 to $2,738.50.


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