Before the Bell: What Canadian investors need to know today

Global markets were mixed as Wall Street hit an all-time high while TSX futures eased after Canada's main index reached a fresh record.

Global markets were uneven as investors weighed gains in U.S. stocks against upheaval in Venezuela. Surging financials helped the Dow Jones Industrial Average reach an all-time high yesterday. Canada's main stock index also hit a fresh record, though TSX futures pointed lower in early trading. Oil and gold moved modestly as markets assessed supply expectations. Key market moves: - Wall Street futures were mixed after major U.S. markets closed higher and the Dow hit a record, helped by gains in financials. - TSX futures pointed lower after Canada's main stock market reached a fresh record high yesterday. - Mizuho Securities senior market economist Yusuke Matsuo wrote that Venezuela's relatively small economy appears unlikely to directly affect global markets following the U.S. capture of Nicolas Maduro. - Brent crude rose 0.5 per cent to US$62.06 and WTI rose 0.4 per cent to US$58.57 a barrel amid expectations of ample supply and weak demand. - Spot gold was up about 0.1 per cent at US$4,452.60 an ounce, with U.S. gold futures for February delivery up 0.3 per cent at US$4,462.60. - The Canadian dollar strengthened versus the U.S. dollar, trading between 72.57 and 72.72 U.S. cents, and the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield was around 4.181 per cent. Summary: Markets showed mixed signals with U.S. stocks reaching fresh highs while some Canadian futures eased and commodity prices moved modestly; observers noted that Venezuela's direct economic impact appears limited and oil supply expectations were highlighted as a variable. Undetermined at this time.