Wall Street shares higher into close
Non-farm payrolls tomorrow
Consumer spending data cheers
Stocks enjoy global rally
US and Canadian shares are still higher heading to the close.
The Dow Jones is up 76 at 21,969; the S&P500 is ahead by 15 at 2,473, while the Nasdaq is up 62 at 6,430.
In Toronto, the TSX is up around 74 at 15,208, and the Venture exchange is up 3.43 at 776.35.
Goldman: "We estimate nonfarm payrolls increased by 160k in August, below consensus of +180k and the 3-month average pace of +195k."
— James Pethokoukis (@JimPethokoukis) 31 August 2017
MID-SESSION
US stocks continues higher at mid-session ahead of tomorrow's closely watched jobs data.
The Dow Jones Industrial Index added over 50 points to 21,942, while the S&P 500 gained over 13 at 2, 470.
The tech heavy Nasdaq index added over 55 to stand at 6,423.
US crude also gained ground reversing losses to rise 2.55% as reportedly a quarter of US refineries are shut due to Hurricane Harvey.
Shoe Carnival Inc (NYSE: SCVL) raced up 21.5% as the company reported stronger-than-expected results for its second quarter on Wednesday
Impax Laboratories Inc (NADAQ: IPXL) saw shares jump over 21% to $21.80
On the losing front, Steadymed Ltd (NASDAQ: STDY) dropped over 33% to $3.95 after the group revealed that it had received a Refusal To File letter from the FDA related to Trevyent NDA.
READ THE LONDON CLOSE - FTSE 100 joins global equity rally to finish higher.
OPEN
Wall Street shares got off to a good start on Thursday as traders mulled over economic data and the key jobs numbers tomorrow.
Official figures said spending by US consumers grew last month (July), along with wages and salaries, bolstering the view that the economy continues to strengthen amid Trump's policies.
NEW GOV'T DATA: U.S. consumer spending & personal income on the rise; Trump's economy is working - DML News https://t.co/UEWFvOOV6w
— dawn skerrett (@dawn_redbird) 31 August 2017
The Dow Jones gained 82 at 21,975, the Nasdaq added 39 points to move to 6,407.
The broader based S&P 500 added 12.40 to stand at 2,469.
In stocks, health care firms were making some of the biggest gains, along with retailers and technology companies.
But food companies are falling again after a weak quarterly report from Household name Campbell Soup.
Campbell Soup Company (NYSE:CPD) shares shed 5.51% to $47.48 as it missed estimates for the second quarter amid what it called a 'challenging' environment.
Campbell earned an adjusted 52 cents per share in the latest quarter, three cents short of forecasts, while revenue also missed analysts' expectations.
Another loser was Dollar General (NYSE:DG), the discount retailer, which shed 8.22% to $70.42.
It came as the group reported a better-than-expected increase in quarterly comparable sales as more shoppers visited its stores.