Fri Feb 28, 2014 8:49am EST
<span id="articleText"/>Feb 28 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index looked set to open higher on Friday following slightly stronger than expected quarterly growth data, which helped offset worries surrounding Ukraine's political situation.
<span id="midArticle_0"/>Shares of Mega Brands Inc were also expected to rise after Toymaker Mattel Inc said it agreed to buy Mega Brands for about $460 million, including debt, to expand its construction and arts and crafts offerings.
<span id="midArticle_1"/><span id="midArticle_2"/>TOP STORIES
<span id="midArticle_3"/>* Canada's economy grew at a greater-than-expected annualized rate of 2.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013 after expanding by 2.7 percent in the third quarter, Statistics Canada data indicated on Friday.
<span id="midArticle_4"/>* Euro zone inflation stabilised in what the European Central Bank has called the "danger zone" in February, data showed, while unemployment remained stuck near record highs ahead of an ECB policy meeting next week.
<span id="midArticle_5"/>* Armed men took control of two airports in the Crimea region on Friday in what Ukraine's government described as an invasion and occupation by Russian forces, raising tension between Moscow and the West.
<span id="midArticle_6"/>* German retail sales posted their strongest gain in seven years in January, reinforcing expectations that consumer spending will support growth in Europe's largest economy this year.
<span id="midArticle_7"/>* Salesforce.com Inc raised its full-year revenue forecast and said it aims to improve its adjusted operating margin, after quarterly revenue grew more than expected on strong sales at ExactTarget, an email marketing firm it acquired in June.
<span id="midArticle_8"/>MARKET SNAPSHOT
<span id="midArticle_9"/>* Canada stock futures traded higher
<span id="midArticle_10"/>* U.S. stock futures , , were down around 0.04 to 0.13 percent
<span id="midArticle_11"/>* European shares, were down
<span id="midArticle_12"/><span id="midArticle_13"/>COMMODITY PRICE MOVES
<span id="midArticle_14"/>* Thomson Reuters-Jefferies CRB Index : 301.3573; fell 0.3 percent
<span id="midArticle_15"/>* Gold futures : $1,328.8; fell 0.21 percent
<span id="midArticle_0"/>* US crude : $102.35; fell 0.05 percent
<span id="midArticle_1"/>* Brent crude : $108.68; fell 0.26 percent
<span id="midArticle_2"/>* LME 3-month copper : $7,035.25; rose 0.15 percent
<span id="midArticle_3"/><span id="midArticle_4"/>ANALYSTS' RECOMMENDATIONS
<span id="midArticle_5"/>Following is a summary of research actions on Canadian companies reported by Reuters.
<span id="midArticle_6"/>* Agrium Inc : Susquehanna raises target price to $115 from $110 citing the company's better-than-expected retail results in the fourth quarter and its dividend yield.
<span id="midArticle_7"/>* Avigilon : CIBC raises target price to C$50 from C$32 on expectations that the company's fourth-quarter results will beat estimates when it reports results later next week
<span id="midArticle_8"/>* Catamaran Corp : CIBC cuts to sector performer from sector outperformer based on the company's weak outlook for the year ahead, sees margin pressure into 2015
<span id="midArticle_9"/>* Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc : BMO raises target price to $164 from $162 on the company's largely in-line fourth-quarter results, sees opportunities for improving overall operational efficiency
<span id="midArticle_10"/>ON THE CALENDAR
<span id="midArticle_11"/>* Major Canadian economic data include GDP
<span id="midArticle_12"/>* Major U.S. events and data includes Chicago PMI and pending home sales data
<span id="midArticle_13"/><span id="midArticle_14"/>
<span id="articleText"/>Feb 28 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index looked set to open higher on Friday following slightly stronger than expected quarterly growth data, which helped offset worries surrounding Ukraine's political situation.
<span id="midArticle_0"/>Shares of Mega Brands Inc were also expected to rise after Toymaker Mattel Inc said it agreed to buy Mega Brands for about $460 million, including debt, to expand its construction and arts and crafts offerings.
<span id="midArticle_1"/><span id="midArticle_2"/>TOP STORIES
<span id="midArticle_3"/>* Canada's economy grew at a greater-than-expected annualized rate of 2.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013 after expanding by 2.7 percent in the third quarter, Statistics Canada data indicated on Friday.
<span id="midArticle_4"/>* Euro zone inflation stabilised in what the European Central Bank has called the "danger zone" in February, data showed, while unemployment remained stuck near record highs ahead of an ECB policy meeting next week.
<span id="midArticle_5"/>* Armed men took control of two airports in the Crimea region on Friday in what Ukraine's government described as an invasion and occupation by Russian forces, raising tension between Moscow and the West.
<span id="midArticle_6"/>* German retail sales posted their strongest gain in seven years in January, reinforcing expectations that consumer spending will support growth in Europe's largest economy this year.
<span id="midArticle_7"/>* Salesforce.com Inc raised its full-year revenue forecast and said it aims to improve its adjusted operating margin, after quarterly revenue grew more than expected on strong sales at ExactTarget, an email marketing firm it acquired in June.
<span id="midArticle_8"/>MARKET SNAPSHOT
<span id="midArticle_9"/>* Canada stock futures traded higher
<span id="midArticle_10"/>* U.S. stock futures , , were down around 0.04 to 0.13 percent
<span id="midArticle_11"/>* European shares, were down
<span id="midArticle_12"/><span id="midArticle_13"/>COMMODITY PRICE MOVES
<span id="midArticle_14"/>* Thomson Reuters-Jefferies CRB Index : 301.3573; fell 0.3 percent
<span id="midArticle_15"/>* Gold futures : $1,328.8; fell 0.21 percent
<span id="midArticle_0"/>* US crude : $102.35; fell 0.05 percent
<span id="midArticle_1"/>* Brent crude : $108.68; fell 0.26 percent
<span id="midArticle_2"/>* LME 3-month copper : $7,035.25; rose 0.15 percent
<span id="midArticle_3"/><span id="midArticle_4"/>ANALYSTS' RECOMMENDATIONS
<span id="midArticle_5"/>Following is a summary of research actions on Canadian companies reported by Reuters.
<span id="midArticle_6"/>* Agrium Inc : Susquehanna raises target price to $115 from $110 citing the company's better-than-expected retail results in the fourth quarter and its dividend yield.
<span id="midArticle_7"/>* Avigilon : CIBC raises target price to C$50 from C$32 on expectations that the company's fourth-quarter results will beat estimates when it reports results later next week
<span id="midArticle_8"/>* Catamaran Corp : CIBC cuts to sector performer from sector outperformer based on the company's weak outlook for the year ahead, sees margin pressure into 2015
<span id="midArticle_9"/>* Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc : BMO raises target price to $164 from $162 on the company's largely in-line fourth-quarter results, sees opportunities for improving overall operational efficiency
<span id="midArticle_10"/>ON THE CALENDAR
<span id="midArticle_11"/>* Major Canadian economic data include GDP
<span id="midArticle_12"/>* Major U.S. events and data includes Chicago PMI and pending home sales data
<span id="midArticle_13"/><span id="midArticle_14"/>
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