(RTTNews) - Canadian stock Index is aiming for a potential gain on Thursday, supported by unexpectedly strong U.S. Job data,
The U.S. Jobless Claims for the week were up 227K, while the consensus was for 215K. The 4-week moving average came in at 219.50K.
The S&P/TSX Composite Index, the headline index for the Canadian equity market were down 0.01 percent to close at C$ 33,254.19
Gold prices are trending lower on Thursday. Spot gold slipped 0.2 percent to $5,073.59 an ounce while U.S. gold futures were down 0.1 percent at $5,093.86.
Oil prices are steady, despite the geopolitical developments in the Middle East. WTI crude futures were at $64.65, while benchmark Brent crude futures slid 0.1 percent to $69.35 a barrel.
IN the corporate sector Enbridge finished higher on Wednesday, while Shopify Inc was down 7 percent at the close.
Political scenario is turbulent, with the leaders of the Alberta Prosperity Project, who are seeking a referendum to separate Alberta province from the rest of Canada has revealed their meetings with the U.S. Administration.
In a regional development, on Wednesday, at least nine people were killed and several people were wounded in a mass shooting in Tumble Ridge Municipality in the B.C. Rockies in Northeastern British Columbia. Police said they suspect an 18-year old women, who has transitioned about six years ago. On the U.S. economic front, the Fed Balance Sheet for the week will be issued at 4.30 pm ET. In the prior week, the Level was at $6.606 trillion.
Asian shares finished mostly up, while European shares are trading higher. China's Shanghai Composite index finished marginally higher at 4,134.02. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell 0.86 percent to 27,032.54.
Japanese markets ended little changed. The Nikkei average finished marginally lower at 57,639.84. The broader Topix index settled 0.70 percent higher at 3,882.16.
Australian markets eked out modest gains.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
