(RTTNews) - Higher commodity prices could lead Canadian stocks to some early gains on Friday morning. U.S. futures are pointing higher, while stocks in Europe are seeing strength.

Crude oil edged up 30 cents to $81.49 per barrel after it had erased most of an early slump yesterday. Gold rose $7.90 to $1,066.50 per ounce and silver added 37.5 cents to $17.50.

However, in corporate news, Agrium (AGU.TO) announced that it expects third quarter 2009 earnings to be 90% to 95% below last year’s third quarter results, in line with results previously reported from industry peers for the third quarter. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expects the company to report earnings of US$0.79 per share for the third-quarter.

Meanwhile, TransForce (TFI.TO) reported that its third-quarter net income was C$17.0 million, or C$0.19 per share, compared to C$26.5 million, or C$0.31 per share, in the third quarter of 2008.

Celestica (CLS.TO) announced that its third-quarter net loss was US$0.6 million, compared with net earnings of US$32.1 million reported for the year-ago period. On a per share basis, earnings broke even for the quarter, compared with US$0.14 per share reported last year.

Shaw Communications (SJR.B.TO) reported fourth quarter net income of C$124 million or C$0.29 per share, compared to C$132.38 million or C$0.31 per share for the same quarter last year.

Whiterock Real Estate Investment Trust (WRK_U.TO) announced that it has entered into a binding contract to acquire 460 Two Nations Crossing, located in Fredericton, for $9.7 million before closing costs.

On Thursday, the S&P/TSX Composite Index jumped 91.35 points or 0.79% to close at 11,533.37. Stocks moved higher in the afternoon and challenged a monthly high

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

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