A.M. market numbers: September 11, 2009

| North American markets | International markets | Bonds | Currency | Commodities |

North American markets appeared set to tread water Friday after building up steam a day earlier on increasing indications that global economic recovery is either under way or about to begin.

Stock futures were just into positive territory ahead of the opening bell as investors look to extend New York’s gains into a sixth straight day and the TSX prepared to follow up on a winning day Thursday.

Investors will get readings on U.S. consumer sentiment and wholesale inventories and sales shortly after the market opens as they hunt for further clues about an economic rebound.

Overseas markets were buoyed by strong reports out of China about industrial output, investment, loans and retail sales. Japan’s market was one of the few to decline amid worries about the weakening dollar against the yen, which could pressure exporters revenues.

Other countries have also signalled growth is under way or just beginning to bloom. Canada’s central bank indicated Thursday it sees growth outpacing its earlier forecasts as it maintained interest rates as low as they can go. Brazil’s government said Friday it has emerged from recession with a report of second-quarter economic growth.

The Canadian dollar opened at 92.94 cents US, up 0.24 of a cent from Thursday

Dow Jones industrial average futures up 9, or 0.1%, to 9,614. Standard&Poor’s 500 index futures rose 1.30, or 0.1%, to 1,038.70, while Nasdaq 100 index futures rose 1.00, or 0.1%, to 1,683.75.

The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 154.83 points to 11,155 on Thursday following the Bank of Canada’s forecast. In July, the bank had projected the economy would rebound by 1.3% in the current quarter and another 3% in the final three months of the year, but now says growth could be even better because of stimulative monetary and fiscal policies, improved financial conditions, firmer commodity prices and a rebound in business and consumer confidence.

Oil prices, a major influence on the TSX, hovered near US$72 a barrel Friday as a drop in U.S. crude inventories suggested demand may be picking up and the dollar continued to slump against other currencies, boosting commodities.

By midday in Europe, benchmark crude for October delivery was down 19 cents at $71.75 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. On Thursday, the contract rose 63 cents to settle at $71.94.

Major New York indexes rallied for the fifth consecutive day Thursday after a decline in new claims for jobless benefits and an upbeat forecast from Procter&Gamble raised hopes for an economic rebound. The Dow rose to its highest close since October, and has gained 347 points in the past five trading sessions.

Overseas, Japan’s Nikkei stock average fell 0.7%. In afternoon trading, Britain’s FTSE 100 rose 0.6%, Germany’s DAX index gained 0.6%, and France’s CAC-40 rose 0.8%.

(The Canadian Press)

North American markets

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Dow Jones	9,627.48	+80.26 or +0.84%	+9.70%
S&P 500	1,044.14	+10.77 or +1.04%	+15.60%
NASDAQ	2,084.02	+23.63 or +1.15%	+32.15%
TSX Composite	11,155.00	+154.83 or +1.41%	+24.11%

International markets

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	Open	Change	YTD
Nikkei	10,444.33	-69.34 or -0.66%	+17.89%
Hang Seng	21,161.42	+91.86 or +0.44%	+47.08%
SENSEX	16,264.30	+47.44 or +0.29%	+68.59%
FTSE 100	5,023.22	+35.54 or +0.71%	+13.28%
CAC 40	3,735.76	+29.89 or +0.81%	+16.09%
DAX	5,623.05	+28.28 or +0.51%	+16.90%

Bonds

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Bonds	$Current	$Previous	%Yield
Cdn. 10-year bond	103.53	102.78	3.32
Cdn. 30-year bond	119.24	117.74	3.86
U.S. 10-year bond	102.26	105.31	3.35
U.S. 30-year bond	105.14	120.97	4.20

Currency

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BoC Open	Today	Previous
Canadian $	0.9294	0.9273
US $	1.0759	1.0783

Euro Spot Rate	Today	Previous
Canadian $	0.6355	0.6359
Euro	1.5735	1.5725

Commodities

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Gold	AM	PM
London Gold Fix ($US)	$ 998.25	$990.75

Oil	Open	Change
WTI Crude Future (US)	$71.61	-$0.33 or -0.46%

(09/11/09)