Oct 19 (Reuters) - Stock futures pointed to a lower opening for Canada's main stock index on Thursday, tracking losses in oil markets as traders took profit amid tensions in Iraq and growing U.S. inventory.
December futures on the S&P TSX index SXFc1 were down 0.37 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET.
Canada's benchmark stock index reversed course to end lower on Wednesday as weaker energy and materials stocks offset a rally in Canadian Pacific Railway shares following better-than-expected quarterly earnings. Jones Industrial Average e-mini futures 1YMc1 were down 0.41 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET, while S&P 500 e-mini futures Esc1 were down 0.52 percent and Nasdaq 100 e-mini futures NQc1 were down 0.59 percent. .N (Morning News Call newsletter http://link.reuters.com/nex49s; The Day Ahead newsletter http://link.reuters.com/mex49s)
TOP STORIES TOP/CAN
Oil and gas producer Cenovus Energy CVE.TO , CVE.N said on Thursday it will sell its Palliser crude oil and natural gas assets in southeastern Alberta to Torxen Energy and Schlumberger Ltd SLB.N for C$1.3 billion ($1.04 billion) to lower its debt load. company Rogers Communications Inc 's RCIb.TO quarterly profit more than doubled, helped by strength in its wireless unit, as it added the highest number of postpaid subscribers in eight years. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended his finance minister on Wednesday amid criticism that Bill Morneau did not place his assets in a blind trust, moving to dampen a growing controversy that threatens to overshadow the government's agenda. AT 7:15 a.m. ET COM/WRAP
Gold futures GCc2 : $1,287.7; +0.38 pct GOL/
US crude CLc1 : $51.27; -1.48 pct O/R
Brent crude LCOc1 : $57.37; -1.50 pct O/R
LME 3-month copper CMCU3 : $6,943.50; -0.67 pct MET/L
ANALYST RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS RCH/CA
Canadian Pacific Railway CP.TO : National Bank of Canada ups target price to C$226
GDI Integrated Facility Services GDI.TO : Desjardins starts with buy rating
Lassonde Industries Inc LASa.TO : Desjardins starts with buy rating; C$275 target price
U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE ON THURSDAY
0830 Initial jobless claims: Expected 240,000; Prior 243,000
0830 Jobless claims 4-week average: Prior 25,750
0830 Continued jobless claims: Expected 1.900 mln; Prior 1.889 mln
0830 Philly Fed Business Index for Oct: Expected 22.0; Prior 23.8
0830 Philly Fed 6M Index for Oct: Prior 55.20
0830 Philly Fed Capex Index for Oct: Prior 39.00
0830 Philly Fed Employment for Oct: Prior 6.60
0830 Philly Fed Prices Paid for Oct: Prior 34.40
0830 Philly Fed New Orders for Oct: Prior 29.50
1000 Leading index change mm for Sep: Expected 0.1 pct; Prior 0.4 pct
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($1= C$1.25)