Futures tied Canada's main stock index edged up on Wednesday, with investors focused on strong quarterly results from the top domestic lenders.
The TSX gained 45.4 points to end Tuesday at 25,635.73
December futures edged up 0.2% Wednesday.
The Canadian dollar eked up 0.02 cents to 71.11 cents U.S.
Royal Bank of Canada reported a rise in fourth-quarter profit as the country's biggest lender benefited from strong performance in its personal banking business.
Meanwhile, the National Bank of Canada also reported higher quarterly profit, helped by solid performance in its wealth management unit.
In the economic docket, Greater Toronto Area home sales rose for the fourth straight month in November and prices climbed to a one-year high as lower borrowing costs encouraged buyers to move off the sidelines.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange leaped 7.71 points, or 1.3%, Tuesday to 620.72.
ON WALLSTREET
Stock futures rose Wednesday as Salesforce and Marvell Technology led tech shares higher on the back of strong quarterly earnings.
Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial average vaulted 208 points, or 0.5%, to 45,017.
Futures for the S&P 500 took on 18.75 points, or 0.3%, to 6,082
Futures for the NASDAQ Composite Index surged 137.75 points, or 0.7%, to 21,419.25.
Salesforce climbed 13% after the company posted fiscal third-quarter revenue that beat estimates. Chipmaker Marvell also beat earnings expectations and issued strong fourth-quarter guidance, advancing 13%.
Wall Street is coming off a mixed session, with the S&P 500 and NASDAQ eking out small gains to record levels, while the Dow fell slightly.
On Wednesday, traders will review the ADP private payrolls report for November, which is expected to show growth of 163,000 positions, per economists polled by Dow Jones. The S&P Global U.S. Services Purchasing Managers’ Index, factory orders and durable goods are also slated for release.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 inched up 0.1% Wednesday, while in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng hesitated 3.86 points.
Oil prices docked 13 cents to $69.81 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices lost $2.10 to $2,665.80 U.S. an ounce.
