Canadian stocks may open higher Friday as traders speculate for further monetary stimulus measures by central banks around the world. European shares were in the green amid hopes that European central banks will be coordinating to stabilize financial markets in the event Greece votes to leave the euro zone after this weekend elections. Meanwhile, the Bank of England said it remained committed to pump in extra cash to the U.K. banking system.
U.S. stock futures were pointing to a marginally higher open.
On Thursday, the S&P/TSX Composite Index snapped its two-session winning streak to shed 31.45 points or 0.27 percent to 11,466.42.
The price of crude oil was ticking higher Friday morning amid hopes of stimulus measures by central banks. Moreover, the OPEC in its yesterday meeting decided to keep its output limit at 30 million barrels a day. Crude for July gained $0.32 to $84.23 a barrel.
The price of gold was firm near its two-week high Friday morning as traders focus on the weekend Greek elections. Gold for August gained $4.90 to $1,624.50 an ounce.
In corporate news from Canada, Bombardier Inc.'s (BBD_A.TO, BBD.B_TO) rail systems division, Bombardier Transportation signed a contract with the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District or BART for the supply of 260 new rail cars for approximately $631 million,
International pharmaceutical company Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. (VRX.TO) said it would acquire OraPharma, a specialty oral health company, from Water Street Healthcare Partners, a private equity firm for a total consideration of around $312 million and up to $114 million in potential contingent payments based on certain milestones.
Vision care products retailer Coastal Contacts Inc. (COA.TO) reported second-quarter loss of C$0.2 million or breakeven per share, compared to earnings of C$0.1 million or breakeven per share last year.
Metallurgical coal miner Corsa Coal Corp. (CSO.V) said it sold 72,000 clean tons of metallurgical coal in the second quarter 2012, exceeding its published guidance of 65,000 to 70,000 tons.
West Africa focused gold miner Aberdeen International Inc. (AAB.TO) posted a much improved first quarter net earnings of $15.9 million or $0.18 per share compared to $3.9 million or $0.04 per share in the year-ago quarter.
Oil and gas company Bengal Energy Ltd. (BNG.TO) reported a wider fourth quarter net loss of C$1.42 million or C$0.03 per share compared to a loss of C$890,000 or C$0.03 per share in the same quarter last year.
In economic news, Statistics Canada said manufacturing sales unexpectedly fell in April, signaling the nation's factory sector is feeling the effects of a global slowdown brought on by problems in Europe. Manufacturing sales fell 0.8 percent in April to $49.1 billion.
From the U.S., the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said its general business conditions index fell to 2.3 in June from 17.1 in May, although a positive reading still indicates growth in regional manufacturing activity. Economists had expected the index to show a much more modest decrease to a reading of 13.8.
Elsewhere, the euro area trade surplus fell to EUR 5.2 billion in April from EUR 7.5 billion in March, Eurostat said. In April 2011, the trade balance showed a deficit of EUR 4.5 billion. Meanwhile, seasonally adjusted trade surplus increased to EUR 6.2 billion in April from EUR 3.7 billion in the previous month.
Meanwhile, data from the Office for National Statistics showed that the U.K. visible trade deficit increased to a seasonally adjusted GBP 10.1 billion in April from GBP 8.7 billion in March. The deficit was well above the consensus forecast of GBP 8.5 billion.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.