(Reuters) - Futures for Canada's main stock index inched higher on Thursday, supported by an uptick in gold prices and positive corporate earnings, while caution ahead of a U.S. jobs reading kept a check on gains.
September futures on the S&P/TSX index were up 0.4% at 6:48 a.m. ET (10:48 GMT).
The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index ended 0.5% lower on Wednesday and closed at its lowest since June 28.
The index opened strongly, boosted by a surge in e-commerce platform Shopify, but fizzled out on numerous challenges to the market outlook, including the winding down of yen-funded carry trades and persistently high U.S. interest rates.
U.S. index futures were mixed on Thursday as investors awaited a weekly jobs reading due at 8:30 a.m. ET. [.N]
The dataset is in the spotlight following weak economic numbers last week that stoked recession fears in the world's biggest economy, and in part triggered Monday's sell-off.
On the commodities side, oil prices steadied after two sessions of gains, as growing supply risks from the Middle East offset demand concerns. [O/R]
Miners will be in focus again as spot gold prices inched higher while copper prices stabilized after their downward trend. [GOL/] [MET/L]
Also on the radar are domestic employment numbers, due Friday, and a slew of corporate updates as the earnings season picks up pace in Canada.
Among stocks, Manulife Financial reported better-than-expected quarterly profit on Wednesday, powered by a 40% rise in earnings from Asia.
Restaurant Brands International beat Wall Street expectations for second-quarter revenue, as its Tim Hortons and Burger King outlets enjoyed steady demand.
COMMODITIES AT 6:48 a.m. ET
Gold futures: $2,406.2; +0.3% [GOL/]
US crude: $75.07; -0.2% [O/R]
Brent crude: $78.04; -0.4% [O/R]
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($1= C$1.3747)
(Reporting by Purvi Agarwal in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore)
