April 5 | Tue Apr 5, 2011 8:45am EDT
April 5 (Reuters) - Toronto's resource-heavy main stock index looked set to open lower on Tuesday after China raised interest rates for the second time this year, knocking commodity prices lower.
FACTORS TO WATCH
* Canadian equity futures <0#SXF:> pointed to a lower open.
* China's central bank increased interest rates on Tuesday for the fourth time since October, raising suspicions that data next week may show inflation rose more than expected in March. [ID:nL3E7F51LX]
* U.S. stock index futures fell after a slide in Apple Inc, which had its weighting cut in a rebalancing of shares in the Nasdaq 100, forcing some to sell the iPhone maker's stock. [.N]
* European shares traded flat in choppy trade with inflation concerns intensifying as crude prices hovered around 2-year highs, prompting investors to pause for breath following a three-week rally. [.EU]
* Asian shares were down as investors worried rising commodities prices could erode corporate profit margins.
CANADIAN STOCKS TO WATCH
* TMX Group Inc. (X.TO): The owner of the Toronto Stock Exchange will put forward a formal submission to Canadian regulators in the "coming weeks" regarding its proposed takeover by London Stock Exchange, TMX CEO Tom Kloet said on Monday. [ID:nN04266784]
* Equinox (EQN.TO): The company extended its $4.8 billion bid for Lundin Mining (LUN.TO) and postponed a vote on the deal by two weeks on Tuesday, awaiting a formal $6.5 billion takeover offer from China's Minmetals Resources. [ID:nSGE73400P]
* Kinross Gold Corp. (K.TO): The gold miner said it signed an agreement to buy the stake it does not already own in Chukotka Mining and Geological Co for about $350 million, giving it full ownership of the Russian mining company.[ID:nL3E7F42ZS]
ANALYST RECOMMENDATIONS
Following is a summary of research actions on Canadian companies reported by Reuters. [RCH/CA]
* Cineplex Inc (CGX.TO) rating raised to outperform from sector perform at National Bank
* Thomson Reuters Corp (TRI.TO) price target cut to C$45 from C$47; rating outperform at National Bank
COMMODITY PRICE MOVES