Toronto futures inch lower as investors weigh US-Iran talks

A July reading of U.S. retail sales is due later in the day, which could offer more insight into the health of the U.S. consumer.

Separately, a Canadian government source directly familiar with trade negotiations with the U.S. said on Thursday talks were progressing well and that Washington also wanted an agreement before a new U.S. tariff deadline on August 19.

On the earnings front, Bird Construction BDT.TO beat second-quarter profit estimates, after which at least three brokerages raised price targets on the stock.

In company news, Air Canada's AC.TO revenue for September and October is likely to break records for the two months as more premium travelers avoid the heat and summer crowds in Europe and Japan, a senior executive said on Friday.

Aug. 14 (Reuters) - Futures tracking Canada's main stock index ticked lower on Friday, as investors weighed stalled efforts to end the U.S.-Iran war, alongside corporate earnings.

September futures on the S&P/TSX index SXFc1 were down 0.2% at 6:24 a.m. ET, after the main index posted its longest daily winning streak in four months on Thursday.

• The United States threatened an indefinite naval blockade of Iran, reviving concerns about disruptions to crude supplies from the Middle East.
• Brent crude futures LCOc1 were up 0.8%, while West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 advanced 1.5%.
• Gold prices were steady, with spot gold XAU= flat at $4,354.77 per ounce, while silver XAG= was up 0.5%.