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Bay Street Poised For Sluggish Start Thursday - Canadian Commentary

Canadian stocks are likely to open lower Thursday, weighed by weak commodity prices.

A mixed batch of U.S. economic data could render price movements a bit sluggish at times. While initial U.S. jobless claims unexpectedly rose last week, GDP rose more than expected in the second quarter.

Energy and gold stocks are likely to drift lower, tracking falling crude oil and bullion prices.

Investors will be tracking a slew of corporate earnings results for direction.

On Wednesday, the benchmark S&P/TSX Composite Index ended down 96.68 points or 0.66 percent at $14,527.57, after scaling a intraday high of 14,641.33 and a low of 14,471.60.

The market declined due to a sell-off in gold stocks after the U.S. Federal Reserve ended its quantitative easing program while appearing upbeat over the economy, a cue interest rate hike may come sooner than markets anticipate.

Suncor Energy Inc. (SU.TO) reported third quarter net earnings of C$919 million or C$0.63 per share, down from C$1.694 billion or C$1.13 per share for the prior year quarter.

Barrick Gold Corp. (ABX.TO) said adjusted third quarter net earnings fell to $222 million or $0.19 per share from $577 million or $0.58 per share in the prior year period.

Goldcorp Inc. (G.TO) reported a net loss of $44 million or $0.05 per share for the third quarter, compared to net earnings of $5 million or $0.01 per share in the third quarter of 2013.

Thomson Reuters Corp. (TRI.TO) reported that its third-quarter 2014 earnings attributable to common shareholders declined to $231 million or $0.28 per share, from last year's $271 million or $0.33 per share in the same quarter last year.

Bombardier Inc. (BBD.B.TO) said its third-quarter revenues rose about 20 percent to US$4.9 billion, compared to the year ago period. However, net income fell to US$74 million or three cents per share, down from $147 million or eight cents per share in the third quarter of 2013.

Catamaran Corporation (CCT.TO) reported third quarter net income of $82.0 million or $0.39 per share, up 12 percent from $72.9 million or $0.35 per share in the year ago quarter.

Maple Leaf Foods Inc. (MFI.TO) reported adjusted loss per share C$0.13 in the third quarter, compared to loss of $0.19 per share in the same period last year.

In commodities, crude oil futures for December are down $0.80 or 0.98 percent at $81.40 a barrel.

Natural gas for December is up $0.025 or 0.57 percent at $3.813 per million btu.

Gold futures for December are down $20.60 or 1.68 percent at $1,204.30 an ounce.

Silver for December is down $0.624 or 3.61 percent at $16.640 an ounce. Meanwhile, copper is down $0.050 or 1.60 percent $3.054 per pound.

In economic news from the U.S., data released by the U.S. Labor Department showed initial jobless claims to have edged up to 287,000 in the week ended October 25th, an increase of 3,000 from the previous week's revised level of 284,000.

A report from the Commerce Department showed U.S. economic activity to have increased by more than expected 3.5 percent in the third quarter of 2014, compared to the 4.6 percent growth seen in the second quarter. Economists had expected GDP to climb by 3.0 percent.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market Analysis

First quarter growth data from China gained the maximum focus this week as trends in the massive emerging economy impact its trading partners. Elsewhere, the IMF released its latest global macroeconomic projections. Read our story to find out why comments from the Fed Chair Powell damped rate cut expectations. Meanwhile, there was some survey data that kindled hopes of a recovery in manufacturing. In the U.K., inflation data for March revealed some confusing trends.

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