Canada is expected to have added 8,000 jobs as per a Reuters poll, compared with November's addition of 10,100 jobs. The data is expected at 0830 ET.
Just over two weeks from now, the central bank is expected to raise interest rates by 25 basis points as fears of an economic slowdown loom.
March futures on the S&P/TSX index were up 0.03% at 0652 a.m. ET.
The blue-chip index is eyeing its first week of gains in 2023.
On Wednesday, the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index fell 0.4% after U.S. data showed tight labor conditions deepening fears of elevated interest rates for longer than expected. [.TO]
After strong U.S. private payrolls figures on Thursday stoked fears of the Federal Reserve remaining hawkish for longer, investors were wary ahead of non-farm payrolls data due later in the day. [.N]
Meanwhile, gold prices inched higher ahead of the closely watched U.S. jobs report. [O/R] [GOL/]
In company news, a U.S. judge said she will rule in a few months if former President Donald Trump erred in 2021 when he approved Lithium Americas Corp's Thacker Pass lithium mining project in northern Nevada.
COMMODITIES AT 6:52 a.m. ET
Gold futures: $1,843.5; +0.18% [GOL/]
US crude: $73.58; -0.11% [O/R]
Brent crude: $78.56; -0.14% [O/R]
U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE ON FRIDAY
Dec. Non-Farm Payrolls due 0830 ET
Dec. Unemployment Rate due 0830 ET
Dec. ISM N-Mfg PMI due 1000 ET
FOR CANADIAN MARKETS NEWS, CLICK ON CODES:
TSX market report [.TO]
Canadian dollar and bonds report [CAD/] [CA/]
Reuters global stocks poll for Canada
Canadian markets directory
(C$1=$0.7336)
(Reporting by Johann M Cherian in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)
