August 17 (Reuters) - Stock futures pointed to a lower opening for Canada's main stock index on Wednesday as investors await the minutes of the U.S. Federal Reserve's July policy meeting for clues on the next interest rate hike.
The Fed is raising expectations for an interest rate rise this year, even as early as next month, despite weak U.S. economic growth in the first half of 2016. prices slipped for the first time in a week as investors weighed the success of potential talks among top oil exporters to reduce output. futures on the S&P TSX index SXFc1 were down 0.06 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET.
Canada's main stock index fell on Tuesday as worries about elevated valuations and higher U.S. interest rates offset a rally in oil prices. Jones Industrial Average e-mini futures 1YMc1 were down 0.12 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET. S&P 500 e-mini futures ESc1 were down 0.07 percent and Nasdaq 100 e-mini futures NQc1 were down 0.03 percent. .N
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TOP STORIES TOP/CAN
Canada's Performance Sports Group Ltd PSG.TO said it was facing an investigation by U.S. and Canadian securities regulator, two days after the sports equipment maker said it was conducting an internal probe into its financials. convenience store operator Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc ATDb.TO is in the lead to acquire CST Brands Inc, a U.S.-based convenience store retailer, according to two sources familiar with the matter. Gold's HARJ.J chief executive said that the South African gold producer, which plans to expand in Africa, could assess Barrick Gold's assets in Acacia. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS RCH/CA
Valeant Pharmaceuticals (NYSE:VRX) VRX.TO : Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) upgrades to "overweight" from "equal weight"
Amaya Inc AYA.TO : Dundee raises target price to C$26 from C$24; rating "buy"
Cargojet Inc CJT.TO : RBC raises target price to C$41 from C$38; rating "outperform"
Mandalay Resources Corp MND.TO : Desjardins cuts target price to C$1.70 from C$1.95
COMMODITIES AT 7:15 a.m. ET COM/WRAP
Gold futures GCc1 : $1342; -0.63 percent GOL/
US crude CLc1 : $46.22; -0.77 percent O/R
Brent crude LCOc1 : $48.86; -0.75 percent O/R
LME 3-month copper CMCU3 : $4777; -0.71 percent MET/L
U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE ON WEDNESDAY
13:15 US Fed O/N Repo rate: Prior 0.25 pct
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