(RTTNews) - Canadian stocks could see some strength on Monday morning, following strength seen overseas. Investors are showing some optimism ahead of some key U.S. earnings reports this week.

Metal-related stocks could rise in the early going. Gold prices are up $2.70 to $1,054.20 per ounce and copper has gained 7.25 cents to $2.918 a pound.

Lundin (LUN.TO) and HudBay (HBM.TO) could rise after each stock was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse Group.

Zincore Metals (ZNC.TO) appointed Jorge Benavides as President and chief executive officer, effective immediately.

Agrium (AGU.TO) said it has entered into an agreement with Terra Industries to sell a portion of Agrium’s Carseland nitrogen facility to Terra, conditional on the closing of Agrium’s proposed acquisition of CF Industries Holdings.

QLT (QLT.TO) said it has restructured its agreement with Novartis Pharma AG to simplify the relationship, under which it will receive exclusive U.S. rights to the Visudyne patents to sell and market Visudyne in the U.S.

On Friday, the S&P/TSX Composite Index inched up 0.25 point to finish at 11,504.76. The index finished up about 80 points on the holiday-shortened week and remained near a three-week high.

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Posted in Categories: Canada, Releases, Stocks, USA.

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