Before the Bell will pause for the holiday Monday and return on Tuesday.
Equities
Global markets retreated from recent highs as concerns about potential AI-driven disruptions kept investors cautious.
Wall Street futures pared losses and were in the black after January inflation data were released.
U.S. consumer prices increased less than expected in January, but underlying inflation firmed as businesses raised prices at the start of the year, which together with a stabilizing labor market could allow the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates unchanged for a while.
TSX futures pointed higher.
Canadian and U.S. stock markets will be closed Monday for a holiday.
In Canada, investors are getting results from Enbridge Inc., TC Energy Corp., Cameco Corp. and Magna International Inc.
Enbridge beat expectations for fourth-quarter profit, as robust power demand helped lift volumes of gas and liquids transported through its systems. It raised its dividend 3 per cent.
TC Energy beat analysts’ estimates for fourth-quarter adjusted profit, helped by strength across its North American operations and increased demand for natural gas and power. It increased its dividend 3.2 per cent.
After markets closed yesterday, Air Canada forecast 2026 core profit marginally above Wall Street estimates, betting on strong demand on international routes outside the U.S. and a surge in premium travel.
On Wall Street, markets are watching earnings from Colliers International Group Inc.
“The prevailing tone in markets is a rotation toward more defensive areas of the equity market and companies with steady, less cyclical and more predictable earnings,” said Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone.
“It is clear that investors are viewing developments in AI ... through a new lens, attempting to price a future that feels more uncertain and structurally disruptive than before.”
For stock markets, AI turns from lifting all boats to sinking ships
Overseas, the pan-European STOXX 600 was down 0.26 per cent in morning trading. Britain’s FTSE 100 declined 0.03 per cent, Germany’s DAX climbed 0.2 per cent and France’s CAC 40 retreated 0.27 per cent.
In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei closed 1.21 per cent lower, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropped 1.72 per cent.
Commodities
Oil prices fell after a report that OPEC+ was leaning toward resuming oil production increases, while investor concerns softened over the risks of a U.S.-Iran conflict that could affect supply.
Brent crude oil futures dropped 0.6 per cent to US$67.10 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude declined 0.8 per cent to US$62.33 a barrel.
In other commodities, spot gold was up 0.7 per cent at US$4,951.90 an ounce. U.S. gold futures for April delivery climbed 0.5 per cent to US$4,971.70 an ounce.
Why gold prices took such a sudden dive on Thursday
Currencies and bonds
The Canadian dollar strengthened against its U.S. counterpart.
The day range on the loonie was 73.32 US cents to 73.55 US cents in early trading. The Canadian dollar was up about 2.29 per cent against the greenback over the past month.
The U.S. dollar index, which weighs the greenback against a group of currencies, rose 0.04 per cent to 96.96.
The euro edged up 0.02 per cent to US$1.1875. The British pound rose 0.08 per cent to US$1.3634.
In bonds, the yield on the U.S. 10-year note was last down at 4.088 per cent.
Economic news
Euro zone’s real GDP and trade surplus
8:30 a.m. ET: Canada’s new motor vehicle sales for December. Estimate is a year-over-year decline of 8.5 per cent.
8:30 a.m. ET: U.S. CPI for January. The Consumer Price Index rose 0.2 per cent, compared with a forecast 0.3 per cent increase.
With Reuters and The Canadian Press