Futures Find Upward Push

The TSX progressed 77.43 points to answer the closing bell Thursday at 20,337.21

March futures on the S&P/TSX index were ahead 0.3% Friday morning.

The Canadian dollar hesitated 0.02 cents to 73.52 cents U.S.

Among stocks, Equinor said it would acquire the British oil and gas business of Canada's Suncor Energy for $850 million.

On the economic calendar, Statistics Canada reports he monthly total value of building permits in Canada decreased 4.0% in January to $9.8 billion.

Meanwhile, data showed home prices in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) rose in February from the previous month, but were down sharply on an annual basis, as borrowing costs climbed.

ON BAYSTREET

The TSX Venture Exchange dipped 2.68 points Thursday to 632.01.

ON WALLSTREET

U.S. stock futures rose Friday as investors pondered the Federal Reserve’s rate-hiking path in light of fresh commentary from central bank speakers.

Futures for the Dow Jones Industrials climbed 65 points, or 0.2%, early Friday to 33,083.

Futures for the S&P 500 gained 10.25 points, or 0.2%, to 3,995.

Futures for the NASDAQ Composite took on 22.5 points, or 0.2%, to 12,084.50.

The Dow on Thursday had its best day since Feb. 13, closing 1.1% higher. The S&P 500 rose 0.8%, and the NASDAQ climbed 0.7%. These gains came after Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic said that he thinks the central bank can keep its interest rate hikes to 25 basis points rather than the half-point increase favored by some other officials.

The major averages are on their way to a positive week. The S&P 500 is up 0.28%, on pace to snap a three-week decline, while the NASDAQ has a 0.6% gain. The Dow is also up 0.6% on the week.

On the economic data front, the Institute of Supply Management is due to release its Non-Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) report on Friday morning. Investors will also listen for further commentary from central bank officials, including Fed Governor Michelle Bowman and Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index heightened 1.6%, while in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng took on 0.7%.

Oil prices fell 44 cents to $77.72 U.S. a barrel.

Gold prices vaulted $12.00 to $1,852.50 U.S. an ounce.