June futures on the S&P/TSX index were up 0.4% at 7:03 a.m. ET.

Contracts tied to crude oil and copper prices were boosted by signs that a deal on raising the U.S. debt ceiling could be reached as early as Sunday. [O/R] [MET/L]

Bullion prices also ticked higher as weakness in the U.S. dollar made the precious metal more cheaper for consumers holding other currencies. [GOL/]

Among company news, Edenbrook Capital, which owns 10.4% of Absolute Software Corp, said the deal to take the software firm private by Crosspoint Capital Partners significantly undervalued the firm.

Canada's competition regulator said it was suing Cineplex Inc for advertising movie tickets at a lower price than what many consumers actually have to pay.

A union representing WestJet's pilots reached a tentative agreement with the Onex Corp owned airline, averting a strike set to begin as early as Friday.

In the previous session, the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index ended 0.6% higher, aided by gains in energy and industrial stocks. [.TO]

Dow e-minis were up 45 points, or 0.13% at 7:03 a.m. ET, while S&P 500 e-minis were up 6.25 points, or 0.15% and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 2.75 points, or 0.02%. [.N]

COMMODITIES AT 7:00 a.m. ET

Gold futures: $1,967.2; +0.4% [GOL/]

US crude: $72.72; +1.2% [O/R]

Brent crude: $76.81; +1.2% [O/R]

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

($1 = 1.3372 Canadian dollars)

(Reporting by Johann M Cherian in Bengaluru; Editing by Shweta Agarwal)