Futures Little Changed as Tariff Threat Looms

Futures tied to Canada's main stock index rose marginally on Friday as investors were cautious ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff deadline.The TSX index popped 336.3 points, or 1.3%, to close Thursday at 25,809.90, its highest level in weeks. March futures on the S&P/TSX index edged up 0.1% Friday. The Canadian dollar grew 0.1 cents to 69.10 cents U.S. early Friday. With just a day remaining before Trump's self-imposed Feb. 1 deadline to issue trade duties on trading partners, including Canada, investors factored in the potential implications on both economies.Companies, consumers and farmers across North America could be impacted by the punitive duties, potentially disrupting nearly $1.6 trillion in annual trade.In corporate news, Algonquin Power said on Friday Rod West will succeed Chris Huskilson as its new chief executive officer, effective March 7.On the macroeconomic front, Statistics Canada told us GDP decreased 0.2% in November with decreases in both services-producing and goods-producing industries.ON BAYSTREET The TSX Venture Exchange hiked 14.34 points, or 2.3%, Thursday to 627.93.ON WALLSTREET Equity futures south of the border moved higher Friday as investors analyzed earnings reports from Apple and other well-known companies ahead of the release of a closely followed inflation report.Futures for the Dow Jones Industrials advanced 124 points, or 0.3% to 45.179.Futures for the S&P 500 spiked 28.25 points, or 0.5%, to 6,127.50Futures for the tech-heavy NASDAQ jumped 167.5 points, or 0.8%, to 21,792.25. Investors honed in on Apple, whose shares rose nearly 3% in extended trading after the company exceeded expectations of analysts polled by LSEG on both lines for its fiscal first quarter. While Apple reported disappointing sales tied to the iPhone, services revenue appeared to take the spotlight.Chip plays Intel and KLA both rose more than 3% on the back of stronger-than-forecast earnings. Beyond tech, Deckers Outdoor shares plunged around 16% as full-year revenue guidance came in slightly short of Wall Street estimates.Despite those advances, only the Dow is on track to finish the week higher. While the blue-chip index has risen about 1%, the S&P 500 and NASDAQ Composite are poised to finish down by 0.5% and 1.4%, respectively.Friday also marks the last day of what has been a rocky January for traders. Nevertheless, the three major averages are on pace for monthly gains, with the S&P 500 up 3.2% and the Nasdaq on pace for a 1.9% advance. The Dow outperformed in the period, on track for a 5.5% jump.Investors will focus Friday on December data for the personal consumption expenditures price index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge. They’ll also monitor economic releases focused on employment costs and personal income.In Japan, the Nikkei 225 nosed ahead 0.2% Friday, while in Hong Kong, markets were closed for Lunar New Year.Oil prices gained 25 cents to $72.98 U.S. a barrel. Gold prices eked higher 20 cents to $2,845.40 U.S. an ounce.